LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
The Leaven of the Pharisees
After the multiplication of the loaves, the Lord tells his disciples: "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees" (Mt. 16:6). The disciples thought that he was telling them this because they had not brought bread; however, the Lord clarifies to them that he was not referring to that, but, as they themselves later understood, to the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees (v. 12).
Now, in Matthew we are not told what the central point of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees is, but in Luke 12:1, the Lord tells his disciples: "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy". So hypocrisy is what the Lord wants to rid his disciples of!
Now the fact that hypocrisy is represented here with leaven is something we should consider. The leaven leavens the dough, makes it take on a volume that is not real, so that it can bake better. The Pharisaic spirit, that is, hypocrisy, was like leaven because it showed an appearance greater than the reality. Their goodness was external, public, without content.
They knew very well the art of simulation, they knew how to cause an impression of piety, without possessing that piety. They knew very well the difference between the private and the public, and how to focus exclusively on the public. They demanded impeccable conduct from others, but they themselves did not have it. They did all their works to be seen of men, and they loved public recognition. They made long prayers in public; and they made their bodies beautiful on the outside, but their hearts were full of robbery and unrighteousness. The Lord compared them to whited sepulchers, beautiful on the outside, but full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness on the inside.
In the times we live in, great importance is given to 'marketing', to image. What the eyes see is essential in social relations, and also in religious environments. But it is this attitude that favors hypocrisy. There it finds an open field where it can run wild. It does not matter so much what things are, but what they appear to be. Not so much reality as appearance.
However, hypocrisy has its days numbered; it will not reign forever in the world. The Lord added to his words of warning: "For there is nothing covered up, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in the chambers shall be proclaimed upon the housetops" (Lk. 12:2-3).
There will come a day when every appearance will be laid bare; every hypocrisy will be unveiled. Then, in the scales of the Lord, things will weigh what they really weigh. Hypocrisy is like a bank in bankruptcy, where it is not convenient to deposit our goods. Let us be real, honest, true. Even if it embarrasses and hurts us today, it will be what will set us free tomorrow.