"And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, 'Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?' And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.'" - Mark 2:16-17

For a year I served the Word of Life Bible Institute as an assistant to the Baker. We made everything from biscuits to wedding cakes. Apart from all the specialty items, our ovens were most often used to bake bread. Bread requires the inclusion of yeast and the yeast must permeate the dough or the bread will never rise. But yeast never works while it sets in the box.

In a way, Jesus was like yeast is to bread. He knew that those who needed to "rise" out of their sin-sick lives needed a Savior. They needed to meet the Lord and be exposed to the Gospel. If Jesus simply stayed in an upper room or some worship center with His disciples, He would never permeate the lives of the lost. The Gospel never works while it sets in a box.

Which are you like my friend? The Pharisee that keeps the knowledge of God to yourself or the Lord who gets out among sinners and spreads the Good news? Like bread, the sin-sick need to be permeated by the presence of the Lord or they will never "rise" out of their bondage to sin. Remember, the Gospel never works while it sets in a box!