2-14-2024

Good Morning All,

            Matthew 16:6; “Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

        It is often called “herd mentality” or “mob mentality.”  It is a social and psychological phenomenon which describes when a group of people begin to act in a fashion that may be different than how they would act individually.  We see it most often on the school yard.  All of a sudden, a group of kids decide to pick on one child.  The group just gangs up and is merciless to one child.  Many have experienced this at one time or another.  It may have been on either side of the interaction.  You may have been the victim, or you may have been one of the perpetrators.  This event seems to grow beyond any sense of logic or reason.

    Some scientists think that when a group begins to act in this fashion, that one of the first things to go away is personal responsibility.  People tend to see their personal beliefs and actions to be overruled and controlled by the mob.  We simply go along with the crowd and as someone begins to escalate the problem, many seem to just go along, even escalating the event as it occurs.  Many scientists feel that each person can deny personal culpability; it frees the individual from personal guilt.

    When Jesus was speaking of the “leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees,” he was speaking specifically of their false teachings.  It also can speak to the way that sin, once it begins to grow, can easily consume those who are either not paying attention or are easily swayed.  So, if we are in a group and gossip begins; it becomes easy for us to join in, add to the lies and falsehoods, and perpetuate the pain.  Be sure to always remember that, sin causes pain to all those involved.  Sin is something that can and does grow easily if we let it.  It can grow until it crowds out all of our faithful actions. 

    Jesus warns us against this.  He warns us that sin, left unchecked, grows, and grows until it destroys all around it.   Sin, when viewed as harmless or “not that big of a deal” grows until it reaches the point where many are harmed.  This is why Jesus continually encourages us to be watchful; to be alert to what is going on around us, what is being said, on what is happening.  Sin can start so small and mushroom so large before we even have time to think.  Sin is stronger and faster than we are; our only hope is to avoid it.  The only way to avoid it is to cling to Christ through the faith that he gives us.

    We are never stronger than sin.  We should never think we can play with it or toy with it.  Sin is only destructive and painful.  Our only chance of avoiding the leaven of sin is to cling to the cross of Christ.

Father, lead me to cling to your wondrous grace.  Lead me to hold onto the cross of Christ.  Keep me from the enticement of sin.  Be with those who are being tempted and are weakening.  Give them the strength to stand up to the struggles of sin.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret