Six13 is a cappella group that gives popular songs a Jewish twist by reimagining the lyrics from a Jewish perspective. In this video they take inspiration from the Lion King’s Circle of Life song to make a Passover song. I will not give all the details away but the song mentions the process of preparing for Passover and removing the chametz from the home. If you don’t know what that is, chametz refers to grains such as wheat, oats, spelt, barley, and rye that have been mixed with water and a leavening agent and allowed to rise, as only unleavened food is allowed to be used during the service.
There is a spiritual lesson in this. “You were running the race well; who has stopped you from following the truth? Whatever means of persuasion he used was not from the One who calls you. It takes only a little hametz to leaven the whole batch of dough.” Galatians 5:7-9… Yeshua began to say to his talmidim first, “Guard yourselves from the hametz of the P’rushim, by which I mean their hypocrisy. There is nothing covered up that will not be uncovered, or hidden that will not become known. What you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops.” Luke 12:1-3
Often when we think of avoiding sin it is something deemed very obvious like robbing a bank or causing direct physical harm to others but we don’t spend time thinking about the sins that are easier to ignore, that we need to be wary off. Many of the religious leaders in Yeshua’s day didn’t seem guilty of overt sins but they had plenty of covert sins as we probably do as well. I’ve noticed religious people tend to focus on avoiding active sinning while overlooking the sins of omission when teaching about spiritual cleansing. Yeshua explains more in detail, “’But woe to you P’rushim! You pay your tithes of mint and rue and every garden herb, but you ignore justice and the love of God. You have an obligation to do these things — but without disregarding the others!’” Luke 11:42
It is often easier to notice when people are doing wrong than it is to acknowledge where we neglect to do right. But the sins of omission can grow to the point that it overshadows other aspects of our character if we are not careful. Not doing good is also a sin, true righteousness is not just about avoiding bad things but actively doing the things God wants us to do. We are still living wrong when we try to use our faith to rationalize not doing the good that God requires. “Human being, you have already been told what is good, what Adonai demands of you —no more than to act justly, love grace and walk in purity with your God.” Micah 6:8. So make sure you check your heart for the leaven of selfishness that can hide behind a cloak of good deeds.
