~ by Terry Walters
Mark 8:11-15
I love watching old westerns on television.
A recurring theme is stirring up
the townsfolk against someone, often
to the point of becoming a lynch mob.
One of the “bad guys” accuses or
even just plants the seeds of doubt
against one of the “good guys.” A couple
others join in and before you know it,
the whole crowd has turned on the good guy!
It took no evidence, let alone
proof, just some doubt and fear.
We recently went through a worldwide pandemic
and much of what took place, besides the
virus, was much like those old westerns.
A little doubt and fear fueled by
misinformation perhaps did more harm than the disease!
Jesus had once compared the Kingdom of God to yeast,
showing that it started small but
would spread throughout the world.
In this passage, the yeast was a bad thing
for the same reason -
a little bit can spread over a large area.
But what was the bad influence?
The common thread of the Pharisees and
Herod was unbelief. Herod had
previously shown interest in Jesus, but
more as entertainment or idle curiosity.
He never believed in Him.
In this context, Pharisees had just demanded
a sign from heaven, hoping to test Jesus.
Though he had already performed miracles,
they clearly did not want to believe.
Jesus warned the disciples and us to be
careful of doubts because they can
spread quickly and thoroughly like yeast.
A little doubt in part of one's faith
can lead to lots of doubt in other areas of our faith.
And one person's doubts
can spread to other people.
Be careful of even a little doubt!
Prayer: Lord, as one man said in the Bible,
“I believe, help my unbelief.” Help us to always
have a positive influence on those around us.
P.S. On the other hand, good things can spread, too.
Consider the woman at the well that
Jesus spoke to in John 4 -
She had doubts to begin with but decided to
trust Jesus and then shared that with others.
Many came to believe in Him, too,
and even said they had come because of
her influence, but now believed for themselves.
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