Scripture: Job, chapter 22; Mark, chapters 7-8
Mark 8:11-15 (NASB):
And the Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him, demanding from Him a sign from heaven, to test Him. Sighing deeply in His spirit, He said, “Why does this generation demand a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation!” And leaving them, He again embarked and wet away to the other side.
And the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and did not have more than one loaf in the boat with them. And He was giving orders to them, saying, “Watch out! Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and the leaven of Herod.”
Observations:
I noticed a few things as I read this passage today. First, the Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him, demanding from Him a sign from heaven. This is a common theme throughout the Gospels. The Pharisees don’t believe that Jesus is the Son of God, so they demand that he “prove it.” The problem is that Jesus did many “signs,” yet they still didn’t believe. In fact, their demand for a sign in this passage comes right after he feeds the four thousand. He healed people, cast out demons, even brought the dead back to life. What more “proof” did they need?
The fact is that there was no proof that would satisfy them. That, I believe, is why Jesus said, “no sign will be given to this generation.” That’s the second thing I noticed. When Jesus uses the phrase “this generation,” he is not only referring to the Pharisees of his day. I believe He is referring to all of those who doubt and demand a sign during these “last days.” We’ve been living in the “last days” since Jesus returned to the Father. Unbelievers have always wanted “proof,” but like those of Jesus’ day, they refuse to believe no matter what “proof” they see.
Beware of the leaven!
That brings me to the third point: the leaven of the Pharisees. I believe the leaven of the Pharisees is their refusal to believe. They had already decided that they would not accept Jesus no matter what He said or did. Asking for a sign was their attempt to hide their unbelief.
What about the leaven of Herod? I interpret that as a trust in earthly power. He was a symbol of accommodation with the Roman Empire; he held power at Rome’s discretion. A group within the Jewish nation – the Herodians – worked with Herod and supported him (even though he wasn’t Jewish). I believe that Jesus was warning His followers not to think that earthly power meant heavenly favor. As Jesus would later say to Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). In warning against both types of “leaven,” Jesus called his followers to avoid the extremes on both “sides” – legalism and performance-based religion on one hand, and seeking worldly power and approval on the other.
Application:
“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1, Literal Translation of the Bible). I understand why unbelievers ask for a “sign” – because faith doesn’t make sense to them. Instead of asking God to show them such a sign, I believe we should be the sign. Our lives ought to give people evidence of the transforming power of the gospel. They can’t “see” what God has done in our hearts, but they should be able to see the difference God makes in our lives.
I also believe that focusing on politics and political “solutions” detracts from the evidence of God’s work in us. The power of the gospel is not in its ability to win elections; it is in the power to transform lives. The Son of Man came to seek and save that which was lost, not to make sure we vote in the “right” people. That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t vote. We should! But we should vote based on God’s direction, and on Biblical principles. And we should never despair, because we believe that God is still on the throne! Nothing that happens in any election takes God by surprise. And God is always at work for our good – in all circumstances. That is the basis of our faith, and we shouldn’t need a “sign” to convince us!
Prayer:
Father, thank You for reminding us to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod. Guard us against the belief that You need to “prove” yourself – to us or to others. Help us to live in ways that reflect Your work in us. May our transformed lives be all the “proof” that anyone needs to believe in You.
Guard us against the leaven of Herod – putting too much trust in the powers of this world. Remind us each day that You are in control, not whoever sits in Washington DC. Help us not to think that any election means “the end,” nor that any election means “victory.” Jesus has already won the victory that matters! Help us to walk in Your way each day, that others may come to know You. Amen.
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