Jesus warns his disciples to beware of the “leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees,” highlighting the danger of adding personal opinions, traditions, or self-serving interpretations to the Word of God. Just as leaven changes the nature of bread, so too can human additions distort the original intent of Scripture, leading believers away from the truth. In a world where many voices claim to speak for God, it is crucial to discern what is truly from Him and to ensure that our faith and practice are rooted in the unaltered Word. [20:54]
Matthew 16:6, 11-12 (KJV):
6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
11 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?
12 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.
Reflection: In what ways have you noticed “leaven”—human opinions or traditions—creeping into your understanding of God’s Word? How can you intentionally seek out and hold fast to the pure truth of Scripture this week?
Jesus reminds His disciples of the miracles of the loaves and fishes, teaching that God does not depend on our resources or abilities—He simply asks us to bring what we have. When we focus on our lack, we forget the faithfulness and sufficiency of Christ, who can multiply even the smallest offering for His purposes. This truth calls us to trust God’s provision and to step forward in faith, knowing that He is able to do abundantly more than we can imagine with what we surrender to Him. [31:32]
Matthew 14:17-21 (KJV):
17 And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
18 He said, Bring them hither to me.
19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel you don’t have “enough”? How can you offer what you do have to God today, trusting Him to multiply it for His glory?
When Jesus asks, “But whom say ye that I am?” He is inviting His closest followers to move beyond public opinion and declare their personal revelation of who He is. Peter’s confession that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the living God” becomes the rock upon which the church is built. Our own relationship with Jesus—knowing Him intimately, not just by reputation—shapes our identity as His people and empowers us to reflect His character in the world. [53:29]
Matthew 16:15-18 (KJV):
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Reflection: If Jesus asked you today, “Who do you say that I am?”—what would your honest answer be, and how does your daily life reflect that answer?
Jesus makes it clear that the true church is not built on human authority, tradition, or validation, but on the revelation that He is the Christ. While people may seek to control, validate, or take credit for spiritual movements, Jesus alone is the foundation and sustainer of His church. This truth frees us from seeking approval from religious systems or people and calls us to align ourselves with Christ’s mission and character above all else. [01:03:54]
Matthew 16:18-19 (KJV):
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Reflection: Are there ways you have sought validation or approval from people or institutions more than from Christ Himself? What would it look like to root your identity and service in Jesus alone this week?
The process of becoming like Christ and building His church is not about titles or outward qualifications, but about being discipled through close relationship, mentorship, and servanthood. Just as the first disciples learned by walking closely with Jesus, we are called to attach ourselves to Him and to those who model His ways, allowing His “oil”—His anointing and character—to be transferred to us. This kind of discipleship requires humility, openness, and a willingness to serve and be taught. [01:13:49]
2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV):
And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
Reflection: Who are you intentionally learning from and serving alongside in your walk with Christ? How can you take a step toward deeper discipleship or mentorship this week—either by seeking it out or by offering it to someone else?
Today’s journey took us deep into the heart of what it means to be the church—not just a church, but the church that Jesus envisioned and established. We began by reflecting on the importance of returning to our original mission, just as any organization must revisit its founding purpose to avoid drifting off course. The church, as Christ intended, is not defined by traditions, personalities, or the preferences of its leaders, but by the unchanging mission and character of Jesus Himself.
We explored Matthew 16, where Jesus confronts the Pharisees and Sadducees for seeking signs while missing the true signs of the times. Their error was not just skepticism, but a tendency to add their own “leaven”—their own interpretations and traditions—to the Word of God, distorting its original intent. Jesus warns His disciples to beware of this leaven, teaching us to be vigilant against any doctrine or practice that strays from the pure truth of Scripture. The challenge is to discern between what is genuinely from God and what has been “sprinkled” with human agendas.
The conversation then shifted to the disciples’ own understanding. When Jesus asked, “Who do you say I am?” Peter’s confession—“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”—became the foundation upon which Jesus would build His church. This wasn’t just a theological statement; it was a recognition of Jesus’ anointing, His unique authority, and His fulfillment of centuries of longing and prophecy. The church is built not on personalities or human validation, but on the revelation of who Jesus truly is.
We also considered the implications for our own lives. If we are to be Christ-like, do people see in us the evidence of having been “smeared with oil”—consecrated, anointed, and set apart? The call is to embody the character and mission of Christ so authentically that others recognize His presence in us, just as Peter recognized it in Jesus.
Finally, we acknowledged that Jesus’ church is radically inclusive, built with people who might never have been chosen by religious establishments. The true qualification is not human approval, but the call and anointing of Christ Himself. As we move forward, our task is to continually return to what Jesus actually said and to let His words shape our identity, mission, and community.
Matthew 16:1-20 (ESV) —
> 1 And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven.
> 2 He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’
> 3 And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.
> 4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed.
> 5 When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread.
> 6 Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
> 7 And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, “We brought no bread.”
> 8 But Jesus, aware of this, said, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread?
> 9 Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered?
> 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered?
> 11 How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
> 12 Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
> 13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
> 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
> 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
> 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
> 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
> 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
> 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
> 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.
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