It’s an interesting parallel. In the time of Jesus, following the exit of the Greeks from Israel and region the Pharisees and Sadducees worked to pull out of Jewish culture the infiltration of Greek culture with a call to return to Holiness and worship of the one true God, Yahweh. It was a call that has long historical consequence. By the time Jesus is walking with his disciples, of course Rome is the dominating the political landscape. The Pharisees and Sadducees seem to be a regular target of the condemnation of Jesus. Why?

These two groups had drifted. They were no longer looking for a spiritual awakening, they had traded that for power. And in the days of Jesus it is Herod who holds the power. Jesus condemns them for using their own positions and influence to maintain their political power. They were aligning themselves with a man known for corruption, killing off his enemies, and doing anything that kept himself in control.

Jesus calls them white washed tombs. Warns others to avoid the yeast of the Pharisees. He is clear that their way is not the way of The Kingdom of God!

It’s not a bad warning today. Christian Nationalism is rampant south of the border and spills into our own land.

Religious types who align with a political party or more specifically a person in power are in danger of being dragged into the “yeast of the Pharisees”. Don’t let your desire to be holy become a desire to be in power.

Submission is the posture for the disciple. Submission to God, not man keeps the ego from pursuing power. The Westminster Shorter Catechism says that “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.”

The Pharisees and Sadducees had forgotten this and were enjoying the safety and privilege of being in a position of power within Israel. As Christians we must be careful never to pursue the same. Jesus spoke of longing to take His people under HIS wing, he chided those in power for getting in the way.