Wednesday / Not Filled with Darkness
Read Luke 12: 1-3 (NLT)
Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy. The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!
Think
Yeast is what makes bread dough rise. It’s made up of thousands of microscopic animals that give off carbon dioxide as they grow in the bread dough, eating the sugars found there. The carbon dioxide causes bubbles to form and puffs up the dough—making it rise. When used carefully and watched closely, the action of yeast is a very good thing. But bread dough that’s left to rise too long, gets over-puffed and collapses onto itself. Sometimes you can punch it down and knead it again, but then the finished loaf won’t have the right texture.
The “yeast” Jesus is talking about is hypocrisy — putting on a false appearance of virtue, being black inside but thinking a white robe will cover it up. The Pharisees were pretenders—they puffed themselves up with false virtue. But Jesus said they would be revealed for what they truly were—full of darkness.
I need to be careful not to be leavened with the “yeast” of the Pharisees, to check myself for signs of hypocrisy. By living my life in line with Jesus’ teachings, I can be full of light, not darkness. I can avoid getting puffed up with dark things like pride and self-conceit. My actions will speak of Jesus, not proclaim my own value like puffed up Pharisees.
Pray
Grace-filled, all-knowing God, the world around me is dark and filled with scary things. Help me when I’m afraid. Keep me safe from the dangers and pitfalls in my path. You are the Great God who promises to always be with me. Please don’t forget it! Help me to walk in your light, that my life will show your glory to those I meet along my path who may only know darkness. Amen.
Do
Sometime this week or next, bake some bread. If you’re one of the many people who’ve never done it, don’t be afraid! Learn about how yeast works. Watch a how-to video. Then pick a recipe and go buy the ingredients. As you work, pray and consider all those who are hungry in this world. Share your fresh-baked bread with a friend or neighbor.
The View from Mt. Hope 