Matthew

I like Matthew. The publican, writer of good news. Often, he explains Jesus’ words.

Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. (Matthew 16:6 KJV)

What? Do the Pharisees bake bread? What’s with the leaven. See, we’re not the only ones who had difficulty applying scriptures. The disciples must have spoken aloud to each other, working out what He meant, and missed the whole lesson.

And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. (Matthew 16:7 KJV)

How patient is our Lord!! Instead of throwing up His hands and saying “They’ll never understand!” He told them:

Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? (Matthew 16:8 KJV)

Excuse me, did we not read stories in this very book about feeding five thousand, and then seven thousand, taking baskets of leftovers from both? He’s not talking about bread!

How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. (Matthew 16:11-12 KJV)

Now, don’t jump to the conclusion that Christ was against doctrine in general, but incorrect doctrine. Christ’s doctrine astonished people:

And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine. (Matthew 22:33 KJV)

That was at the close of a lesson that began:

Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. (Matthew 22:29 KJV)

It never ceases to amaze me how mankind places limits on what God would, will, has or can do. We teach He is omnipotent, omniscient, then place limits. I’ve found that scriptures tell what He has done and it is much better for me to do what He has said to do.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV)

Open the Bible, read and understand that All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Timothy 3:16 KJV)