JULY 21, 2023 – THE LEAVEN OF UNBELIEF

READ: Mark 8:11-21

Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened? – Mark 8:17

The Pharisees ask Jesus for a sign from heaven, not with the intention of believing in Him as the Christ sent by God, but to test Him so that they can say, “See, He is not the one.” The magicians of Pharaoh did this too when they tried to prove that the plagues in Egypt were not evidence of God’s omnipotence. 

But Jesus does not respond to their request. He has clearly proven enough that He is the Son of God. If they do not believe this, no other sign will help. At the same time, He sees the corrupting influence of the Pharisees: they try to prevent the people from believing in Him, so that they will be lost. Their lie works like leaven that permeates the dough. 

When they cross over again with the boat, Jesus warns His disciples about this evil. But they do not understand His warning. They take it literally. The Lord Jesus constantly runs into the fact that His disciples see and hear everything He says and does, but still do not understand it. Thinking and faith are required for that. They must see a spiritual attitude behind the words of Jesus and not get stuck on the literal meaning of what is in front of them. Didn’t Jesus tell them that He would speak in parables? 

Jesus makes an urgent appeal to their faith: “Do you still have a hardened heart?” “You have eyes and do not see, ears and do not hear?” Yes, they knew exactly how many full baskets were left over from the two miraculous feedings after breaking just a few loaves. Why don’t they see that Jesus can also give them everything they need – with just one bread? He wants them to believe in Him as their Savior who wants and can save His people from sin and destruction. In  showing that faith, they must reflect on His words and deeds.

Do you also recognize a leaven of unbelief today?

Singing: Ps. 86:4