Unleavened Leadership

Jesus continues his teaching over the next several months. While this study only allows time to explore a couple of his lessons on leadership development, these days are packed with profound instruction. One of the most important teachings Jesus offers during this period is on being an unleavened leader.

Read carefully and reflect on what Jesus is saying to his disciples about leadership. He is calling for a radically different model than the one they had grown up observing in the religious leaders of Israel. As you read, ask God to examine your own leadership style.

Questions from your reading

• What is hypocrisy—how would you define it?
• List all the results of hypocrisy found in Matthew 23:13–35.
• What was the leaven, or yeast, of the leadership in Israel (Luke 12:1; Matt. 16:12)?
• What type of hypocrisy did the disciples need to fear?
• How do you find hypocrisy creeping into your life?
• What other questions do you still have?

Reflecting on your reading

Over the past six months, Jesus has been drawing a sharp contrast between the kind of leadership he expects and the kind his disciples had grown up witnessing. Periodically, he pauses to highlight how the leadership of Israel is falling short of what he desires. According to Jesus, something had corrupted the Jewish leaders of his day—and that something was leaven.

Leaven, or yeast, was an ingredient used in bread or wine to give it body. Just a small amount would quickly affect the whole batch. In the Old Testament, God instructed the Israelites to remove leaven from their homes and eat unleavened bread for seven days (Exod. 12:14–20). This practice began during the exodus from Egypt and became a powerful symbol of sin and corruption.

Jesus takes this well-known cultural practice and uses it to teach his young leaders. He warns them to be aware of two specific kinds of leaven: the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of the Sadducees.

The leaven of the Pharisees, Jesus says, is hypocrisy (Luke 12:1). They taught one thing but lived another. This is a warning to every disciple: practice what you preach. If you tell others to make disciples, you must be making disciples too. Many give lip service to the Great Commission but have no personal investment in the lives of others. Beware of a lifestyle that contradicts your message.

The leaven of the Sadducees is revealed in Acts 23:8: “The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits.” They were more committed to their beliefs than to the truth. Jesus had taught clearly about resurrection and eternal life (John 5:29; John 11:25), but the Sadducees resisted. Their leaven was a hardened heart—a refusal to be taught or changed.

Beware, young leader, of both types of leaven. Don’t let pride or false certainty close you off from truth. Stay soft-hearted and teachable. Remain open to transformation. There is always more to learn about God and his Son. As Jesus prayed,

“Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3).

Let the Father continue his work in you. Humble yourself and allow him to purify your leadership.

Applying what you’ve read

Both the Pharisees and the Sadducees had allowed the world around them to corrupt their leadership. They were insincere and resistant to truth. Paul writes,

“Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Cor. 5:8).

Be alert to the influence of hypocrisy, insincerity and hard-heartedness. It doesn't take much leaven to corrupt your life or damage those around you. Even a small amount of pride, inconsistency or stubbornness can have far-reaching consequences.

Discuss with your disciples today these cautions for a leader. How can someone recognise if there is leaven in their life? And how do you go about cleaning house? Think about it.