It is evident that Jesus' disciples did not understand His words about leaven—or rather, they understood them in their own, wholly inadequate way. The Savior had to remind them of the recent miracle of the multiplication of the loaves so that they would realize He was not speaking about what they had imagined. At first glance, it may seem that...
It is evident that Jesus' disciples did not understand His words about leaven—or rather, they understood them in their own, wholly inadequate way. The Savior had to remind them of the recent miracle of the multiplication of the loaves so that they would realize He was not speaking about what they had imagined.
At first glance, it may seem that the apostles simply failed to understand the allegory used by their Teacher. But that was probably not the whole matter. On the one hand, one could say that the apostles had indeed forgotten the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves; on the other, they probably thought that such miracles could not happen continually.
By “the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees” they undoubtedly understood leaven itself and nothing else. In other words, they continued to think in the categories of their former life, the categories of the untransformed world—a world where miracles do occur, of course, but only as exceptions, and where one must live by the laws of that untransformed world, trying merely to avoid, as far as possible, a direct violation of the Torah, the commandments given by God.
This is how the disciples understood the Savior's words about leaven: they could no longer have dealings with either Sadducees or Pharisees. But then, as the apostles reasonably concluded, there would be nowhere for them to obtain bread. Jesus, however, is speaking of something entirely different: spiritual leaven, that which spiritually nourishes a person seeking the Kingdom. And it turns out that the spiritual food offered by people who live chiefly or exclusively by religion is not suitable for such a person.
Indeed, now that the Kingdom, in the Savior's words, had “drawn near” and was ready to begin its transforming advance through our world, anyone wishing to partake of its life could not limit himself to what religion could offer, even the most spiritually profound and systematically developed religion. The fullness of the Kingdom cannot be contained within the framework of any religion on earth, which is hardly surprising, since every religion is the work of human hands and minds. Jesus calls His disciples to feed directly on the life of the Kingdom, sharing in it through Him Himself—the only way anyone can share in the life of the Kingdom.
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3:5 And Moses verily - Another proof of the pre - eminence of Christ above Moses. Was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of the things which were afterwards to be spoken - That is, which was a full confirmation of the things which he afterward spake concerning Christ.
3:6 But Christ was faithful as a Son; whose house we are, while we hold fast, and shall be unto the end, if we hold fast our confidence in God, and glorying in his promises; our faith and hope.
3:7 Wherefore - Seeing he is faithful, be not ye unfaithful. Psa 95:7, etc
3:8 As in the provocation - When Israel provoked me by their strife and murmurings. In the day of temptation - When at the same time they tempted me, by distrusting my power and goodness. Exo 17:7.
3:9 Where your fathers - That hard - hearted and stiff - necked generation. So little cause had their descendants to glory in them. Tempted me - Whether I could and would help them.Proved me - Put my patience to the proof, even while they saw my glorious works both of judgment and mercy, and that for forty years.
3:10 Wherefore - To speak after the manner of men. I was grieved - Displeased, offended with that generation, and said, They always err in their hearts - They are led astray by their stubborn will and vile affections. And - For this reason, because wickedness has blinded their understanding. They have not known my ways - By which I would have led them like a flock.Into my rest - In the promised land.