The Unvarnished, Unleavened Truth of Easter

(For the audio version of this blog, please visit: https://brothersinchristcmf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Mass-Blog-for-Easter-Sunday-2026.mp3)

Christ’s disciples displayed the equivalent of Artificial Intelligence after their Master’s death and resurrection. Their heads were full of the information he gave them, but they had little understanding of it, as John states in his gospel this Sunday (“For they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead.”— John 20:9).

Their understanding of the Master’s truth was leavened by the world’s imperfect information, which blinded them to God’s wisdom. In Luke’s gospel, the risen Jesus himself seemed amazed at their lack of understanding while HE, the unleavened truth, was staring them right in the face.

“Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” (Luke 24:25)

But for all of us believers, wisdom comes with time, and nobody understood that better than Paul, who became one of the leaders of “The Way” after the risen Jesus taught him to see beyond this world’s artificiality—the leaven that adds volume but no substance. Here’s how he counsels the Colossians as shown in one of the alternative second readings this Sunday:

“Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:1-4)

In the other alternative reading he equates leaven with earthly impurities that spoil the dough.

“Clear out the old yeast, so that you may become a fresh batch of dough, inasmuch as you are unleavened.” (1 Corinthians 5:6b-8)

In our modern world, unleavened truth is the equivalent of unvarnished truth—and people of faith can see a beautiful connection between the two that 21^st Century A.I. lacks the wisdom to make—though the information supporting it was staring it straight in its facade.

Ask A.I. to compare the words “unleavened” and “unvarnished” and it will tell you they are “unrelated in meaning and application.”

“’Unleavened’ refers to something made without a rising agent, like yeast, while ‘unvarnished’ describes something that is plain, honest, and free from artificial embellishment,” it reports.

But look at A.I.’s expanded description of both:

“In a religious context (particularly Judaism and Christianity), unleavened bread symbolizes purity, sincerity, or the swiftness of the Israelite Exodus from Egypt, as they left in such a hurry their bread had no time to rise. 

“Unvarnished refers to a surface (like wood or furniture) that has not been coated with varnish, stain, or any glossy finish. Where truth is concerned, it describes information being presented in a raw, direct, and straightforward way, without any attempt to soften, disguise, or embellish it to make it more attractive. It is synonymous with plain, candid, or naked facts.”

Yes, these two words are unrelated. Unless you have the wisdom of faith to direct A.I. toward ways Jesus might have related them—as in one of his parables.

Growing up, Jesus was a carpenter who could have used oils or beeswax to “varnish” or “embellish” his work. But as A.I. notes, historical evidence suggests that in Christ’s time, carpentry was typically functional and robust, built to last using skill in joining and shaping wood, rather than relying on protective coatings to cover imperfections. This set a high standard of craftsmanship.

So as the disciples walked along the road with the newly-risen former carpenter, their artificial intelligence was gradually de-leavened. And when he joined them for dinner, the varnish of the hearsay they gathered was stripped away by the Master Carpenter himself. They hadn’t recognize this stranger while he was listening to their account of “a prophet mighty in deed and word” whom they were hoping “would be the one to redeem Israel.” (Luke 21)

THEN he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized the unvarnished truth. Their Master was not just a prophet and his redemption would extend beyond Israel, making the entire world acceptable to his Father.

They were finally freed from this world’s puffed-up and shellacked artificial intelligence so they could become messengers of God’s unleavened, unvarnished Way, Truth and Life.  Are WE there yet?

–Tom Andel