Mark 8:1-10
This is the second feeding of the multitudes; this multitude is all gentile as Jesus is still in Decapolis. The scholarly debate is whether this is another telling of the previous feeding of the five thousand. While there are similarities, there are significant differences:
- Five loaves & 2 small fish vs seven loaves and a few fish.
- The word for fish is different in each story.
- The feeding of five thousand was counting men, making a multitude of maybe twenty-thousand. The feeding of the four thousand is a total number.
- The crowd had been with Jesus one day in the first feeding vs three days on the second.
- The Greek word for 'basket' is different in each; the basket in this chapter is large enough to hold a man.
- The number of baskets of leftovers was different.
It seems, though, as if the biggest difference is that these are gentiles. The provision of Christ went to the Jews first at the feeding of the five thousand, then it comes to the gentiles here. This story isn't far removed from Jesus conversation with the gentile woman in Tyre when she said, "Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children's crumbs." As Jesus multiplies the loaves for these gentiles, it looks very much like the children's crumbs from the table."
These people had been with him preaching for 3 days!! Christ seems to be alone in His compassion for them, the disciples are unmoved until Jesus speaks up. This word for compassion reveals a intense gut wrenching compassion. Jesus was worried for their well-being after three days with Him. Imagine having church for three straight days and not being fed.
Jesus set this up for the disciples to trust Him, to look to Him for the answer to their dilemma; but not one disciple suggested Jesus multiply the loaves. Our initial thought is, 'How can they have so soon forgotten what Jesus had done.' Yet, who of us would stand up to that kind of scrutiny? Have we not caught our self forgetting what Jesus had previously done for us? Can we not imagine Jesus looking from one to the other of the twelve hoping that maybe one would offer a loaf and ask Jesus to multiply it? And we know He would have done so gladly and enjoyed it so. One has to wonder if they thought Jesus couldn't, or wouldn't, do this kind of miracle for the gentiles.
Seven loaves were surrendered among the twelve. Jesus blessed them, broke them and distributed them to the disciples who served the people. Then the few fish are blessed and distributed also. It's interesting that the loaves and fish are blessed separately as if the fish had been held onto until the bread was multiplied. Is it possible one of the doubting disciples was holding the fish for himself until he saw what was going to happen?
They ate and were filled; in addition, seven baskets of leftovers were taken up. These baskets were large baskets, big enough a man could fit in.
Once again, Jesus showed Himself as the bread of life and provision, not just to the Jews, but also the gentiles.
Mark 8:11-13
Jesus traveled from Decapolis after the feeding of the four thousand to Dalmutha. This city is unknown but is thought to be on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. The Pharisees came out to meet Jesus, the means of dispute was the demanded for a sign. At the request, He sighed deeply; this was a groan of displeasure or disgust when faced with a hopeless situation. This is the only use of this word in the bible.
In a sense it was hopeless for those who wanted a sign of their own making. Those who approach in faith have their faith confirmed by signs. Those who want to first see a sign and disqualified from faith because anything resembling faith is simply a response to the sign. The sign the Pharisees sought after was an outward, compelling proof of God's authority given to Him. This test wasn't designed to end the dispute and satisfy their questions but to stumble Jesus, to trip Him up.
Jesus asked why 'this generation' needed a sign. This generation are those who opposed Jesus unless He acted on their behalf, at their command. It is in the sinful and deceitful heart of man to be part of 'this generation'. We are all capable of it. There's a little Pharisee in us all; this allows us to play it safe, have doubts, hold onto our pride and justify our failure to yield all to Him; as if He'd not done enough for us to fully hand over the keys to our kingdom. 'This generation' are at worst those who oppose Jesus, at best they are fence sitters; neither are found among the faithful.
One could look to the sunrise, the flowers and the design of the trees. We could look to the bees who partake in a such an intricate and busy work. We might look to the majesty of the mountains or the deep of the sea. The heavens declare His glory.
Jesus said no sign would be given. Matthew noted the exception that the sign of Jonah would be given. Jesus got into the boat, the disciples joined Him, the Pharisees stayed behind. One commentator said this:
"Faith comes when one steps into the boat with Jesus and does not prefer to remain in safety on the shore." (Eduard Schweizer; as sited by Pillar commentary)
Mark 8:14-21
While Jesus and his disciples leave the Pharisees on the shore to depart in their boat, it appears not all the unfaithful were left behind. This is the third time we've seen them discover the need for bread. The first two were among the multitudes. Each was a lesson. With the need before them, the question had been how was it possible to provide bread. Each time Jesus showed them that He was the answer. Now they stand in a similar circumstance and fail to apply what they've learned twice before. Jesus must have been deeply disappointed that not one of the twelve would look to Him in faith for their provision.
Jesus 'charged them' to take heed and beware. The word used for 'charge' is very explicit and means He left nothing to implication or doubt. They were explicitly warned to be on guard and watch carefully not to become leavened by the Pharisees and Herod. A pinch of leaven from the previous dough was added to the new dough. It spread throughout the batch and so the bread would rise. A little leaven was all it took. Likewise, a little of what the Pharisees were spreading was infecting the culture; a little leaven of Herod's leadership infected the nation.
The actions of Herod and the Pharisees were opposed to the Kingdom of God. Their opposition to Jesus was one of the few things they had in common. A pinch of the existing religious and political dough of that day would spread throughout the followers of Christ. While they wondered if Jesus scolded them because they had no bread, they missed the point that he was scolding them because they had no faith!
With no perception, their heart was hardened. They did not have eyes to see, nor ears to hear and they did not remember. This was a phrase previously used to describe an unbelieving world; it is now used in Jesus' inner circle. They only grasped what was physically before them. They failed to apply what they had previously seen. The previous love and care seen in Christ can be applied to our future.
In an effort to get them to see, Jesus returns to the first two lessons. Did they remember gathering twelve baskets of leftovers? Did they remember the seven large baskets of leftovers? What did Jesus want them to grasp from this and apply to now?
- To those who have no eyes to see or ears to hear, having any leftovers was impossible. Yet, they filled baskets.
- The leaven of doubt enjoys the bread for the moment and forgets where it came from.
- After serving the multitude, these leftovers were probably the provision for the disciples. They served and then ate because of Christ amazing provision.
- The leaven of unbelief had them wondering if there would be any for them; unbelief calls it coincidence or luck there were leftovers.
- That provision is personal. It's applicable to each life in every situation or circumstance. It's not just for multitudes, not for show or with hidden motives. It's simply a loving provision given out of compassion.
- The leaven of doubt convinces us we have to be strong, resourceful, self-sufficient and figure these things out
The disciples were blinded by the immediate bodily need and it didn't cross their mind to seek first God's kingdom with faith knowing that, by faith, their bodily needs would be met. Caught up in every moment of life, they fail to recognize the God of all creation was in their presence. This fact should profoundly change the way they think and act, should it not? The followers of Jesus are sitting in the boat with Him yet they mirror the humanity at large. Like the vast majority of mankind, they are stuck in their world and cares blind and deaf to the Lord.
Mark 8:22-26
The boat trip took Jesus and the disciples to Bethsaida on the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. The people brought a blind man to Jesus and begged Him to touch the man. Jesus took the man by the hand and led him out of town. This is personal time, a walk with Jesus and possibly a departure from a place and people of unbelief. Jesus spit on this man's eyes and laid hands on him. Then He asked the man if he saw anything. At this point, I wonder if the disciples picked up on this question. It was a very similar question he asked them regarding their spiritual blindness. This man is a physical example of what Jesus described to the disciples. Jesus had taken them by the hand, led them away from their old life and tried to give them eyes to see. Interestingly enough, this is the only healing shown to take place in stages. As the man just began to see, Jesus put His hands on Him again and He was healed. Did the disciples get the message? This blindness is healed by the touch of the master, if they can't fully see the first time, He will touch them again. As the man's faith increased, so his sight increased. I think this was the next lesson for the disciples.
We can grasp that same truth. We all lose our sight from time to time. We all fall prey to the leaven of the world and get our eyes on our self. Jesus will touch you and improve your sight. If we resist the leaven of the world and seek His touch, our sight might be improved and we might keep our eyes open and on Him. This man was 'restored'; which means reconstituted, restored again. He saw clearly. It's only when we see clearly that we truly understand how blind we were.
Mark 8:27-33
On the road to Caesarea Philippi, Jesus quizzed the disciples about who people thought He might be. There were a wide range of beliefs. It was clear they respected Jesus as they related Him to these prominent figures. However, to see Christ as anything other than the Son of God is a failure. A good prophet or a fine religious man was not qualified to redeem mankind as a sinless Son of God.
While it important to hear what others thought, the real question was what they thought. This is the most important answer any person can give. This answer will determine your eternal destiny. The question was posed to all of them, yet it is Peter alone who answers. Peter understood Jesus to be the Messiah even though he wasn't completely sure of the significance of this. We don't know if there was a response by any of the others. This is the first time Jesus is openly identified as the messiah.
When it was revealed who He was, He warned them not to tell anyone. The timing becomes more important as the cross draws near. Jesus began to teach them what had to happen. The common Jewish belief was of a messiah warrior who would deliver them from oppression and take the throne of David; while kicking the Romans out of the land. Instead Jesus spoke of suffering, rejection, death and rising again. If the disciple's thinking was messed up before, they must really be befuddled by now. They finally appear to be grasping His identity, now they have to understand that He would die.
Peter decided to correct Jesus on His understanding of what the messiah was supposed to do, how He was to act and the actions outlined for Him. This the leaven of the culture invading his thought process. He already had his mind made up about how this was all supposed to work, there was no room for these other things. This thinking would keep Christ from the cross; this is consistent with the desires of Satan, not followers of Christ. It is the leaven of the world that looks to the here and now; seeking power, authority, to Lord it over people and be served. While Christ came first to suffer, be rejected, die and rise again.
O Lord, raise up their king, the son of David,
that he may reign over Israel thy servant.
Gird him with strength that he might shatter unrighteous rulers,
that he may purge Jerusalem from nations
that trample her to destruction.
Wisely, righteously he shall thrust out sinners from the inheritance;
he shall destroy the pride of the sinner as a potter's vessel.
With a rod of iron he shall break in pieces all their substance,
he shall destroy the godless nation with the word of his mouth;
at his rebuke nations shall fall before him,
and he shall reprove sinners for the thoughts of their heart.
He shall gather together a holy people, whom he shall lead in righteousness,
and he shall judge the tribes of the people that have
been sanctified by the Lord his God.
And he shall not allow unrighteousness to lodge any more in their midst,
nor shall there dwell with them any man who knows wickedness,
for he shall know them, that they are all sons of their God.
(Pss. Sol. 17:23–30)[1]
Mark 8:34-38
The disciples of Jesus are called to:
- Deny themselves; this is counter to the world and its ways where we are taught and encouraged to acknowledge self first.
- Take up your cross; this speaks of a willingness to die as you follow Jesus. This was the public scorn and shame of the cross. It's worth noting that there is a cross for everyone.
- Follow Jesus; it's a narrow way when the wide way looks more fun, more healthy and conducive to an easy life. The path of suffering and denial leads to paradise while paradise road leads to hell.
If we are unwilling to lose our life to Christ we can't be a Christian. We can make excuses and find others to agree and fool our self into thinking we can walk the middle of the road having both worlds. But it's the call of the leaven of sin that beckons us to the world, power, authority, control, wealth and the idea we deserve them all. Even though one might gain the whole world they would forfeit their soul. What is a soul worth? Is a life of all the money in the world, all the power, parties, lovers, luxury, health and long life worth an eternity in hell? Does one realize their mistake immediately upon death? Or do they reminisce of the great times they had? How long will the memories of 70-80 years of the whole world pacify a soul in eternal suffering? A year, a hundred, a thousand? Yet, it goes on forever and ever.
It's to the shame of Jesus for those who bear His name to pursue the ways of the world and reject His instruction. Jesus will be ashamed of those who are ashamed of him.
©2018 Doug Ford
[1] Edwards, J. R. (2002). The Gospel according to Mark (pp. 250–251). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos.
Facebook