So much conflict over bread. Jesus has a good point, though. These guys had literally picked up the leftovers of Jesus' bread miracles, so it's reasonable that they should start catching on at some point.

What is the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees? We're fortunate to have the Passover section in today's reading from Exodus, that gives us a little extra insight into the Hebrew view of yeast. It was purposely omitted during this festival, even banished. This commemorated the delivery of the Lord, and there's not cheating in that observance.

Yeast is the stuff of excess. Bread would taste good without it, but it adds that extra puff and enriches the experience. Such was also the case with the Pharisees and Sadducees. They had the law, the law was given by God and was good on its own. In their hands, though, it was puffed and made something more than it had to be. That's why we needed God in the flesh to get us back on course and into the Kingdom.