The text of today begins immediately after Jesus has spoken the woes against the Pharisees and scribes. Though there is a large crowd, which has gathered, Jesus speaks first to his disciples cautioning them against the yeast of the Pharisees.
The yeast of the Pharisees is identified as hypocrisy only in the Gospel of Luke. To be a hypocrite (Greek hupokrisis) originally meant to wear a mask or to play a role. The point that is being made is that at the judgment, everyone’s true character will be revealed. There will be no masks, and everyone will be seen as he or she is. Even the sparrow which is so insignificant when compared to human beings is looked after by God therefore, there is no need to be afraid, because a God who is and will always remain, Father, will judge us.
Though Jesus constantly revealed God as unconditional love, many of us still relate to him from fear. This is the reason why we wear masks before him and consequently before others. We are afraid to be ourselves. If we begin to realise that our God is a God who primarily wants to save, we can improve our relationship with him and with others.
We are supposed to fear God and love Him at the same time. It is hard to do but it is a true test of choice. Knowing that God is in control of everything, can you still love Him? Knowing that He allows people be murdered, raped, and wars to start, can you still love Him. Knowing that He created the devil and uses him to cause chaos as part of some ultimate test of love? Well I can. I can because I trust Him. He said things would get worst before they get better and I have to have faith that He knows what He is doing. Oh and in order for you to be saved you must believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that Jesus is God. That is why it is so hard for people to be saved. All they have to do is believe He is who He says He is. The Antichrist is also the son of the devil but not because he gave birth to him but because it is him in the flesh. Why would people think any different of God. Yahweh said He would come in the flesh and He did. God was one of us!
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