You Still Don't Get It?
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· 150 viewsJesus wants his disciples to imitate him by being compassionate, believing, and discerning. But too often, disciples lack compassion, are unbelieving, and lack discernment concerning spiritual things. Only grace can make us compassionate, believing, and discerning people.
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Introduction
Preach the gospel, if necessary use words.
Please open your Bibles to . We are nearing the halfway point of the book as Jesus concludes his ministry in Galilee as the opposition arises. You Still Don’t Get it?
The Story of the Repeated Sermon
There is a humorous story of a preacher who began to preach at a new church. The second Sunday, a member thought that he heard the same sermon the previous week. By the third Sunday, he heard the same sermon repeated from the first and second Sunday. The member mustered up some courage and asked the pastor, “Pastor, are you preaching the same sermon? I heard this the past three weeks now.”
He simply replied, “When you start living that one, I’ll move on to the next one.”
The pastor said, “Until you start applying the sermon, I ain’t moving on.”
I’m not sure if this was actually true, but the point of the story is that often Christians don’t get it. And if that is true today, it was true of the disciples back then. They still did not get who Jesus was and often failed to realize what He had come to do.
How many of you have heard a wonderful sermon on Sunday, but by Tuesday you forgot what was said on that Sunday.
We will see that the disciples, even though they followed Jesus on his journeys, often failed to get it. Only after his resurrection, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, would they finally get it.
The Story of the Repeated Sermon
The book of Mark is really divided into two sections: Jesus ministry in Galilee, and chapter 8 onwards Jesus journey to Jersualem. We are nearing the second and final act as the book now shows Jesus repeated sayings concerning his death and resurrection.
The book of Mark is really divided into two sections: Jesus ministry in Galilee, and chapter 8 onwards Jesus journey to Jersualem.
Recap:
You remember last time we were in Mark, Jesus healed a Gentile woman who had a demon possessed daughter. She was a Gentile, and her response amazed Jesus.
But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”
And then he travels to Sidon and makes a U-shaped tour through the regions of the Decapolis where he heals a deaf and mute man.
Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis.
Now Jesus is still in Gentile territories where he feeds 4,000. Although the account of the feeding of the four thousand is very similar to the feeding of the 5,000 in , we will see that there are differences that show these are two separate miracles.
And in our passage, we will look at three characteristics of Jesus, so that we as his disciples can learn from him and imitate him.
I. The Compassion of Jesus (vv. 1-9)
II. The Frustration of Jesus (vv. 10-13)
III. The Patience of Jesus (vv. 14-21)
Scripture Reading:
In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples to him and said to them, “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away.” And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?” And he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.” And he directed the crowd to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd. And they had a few small fish. And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them. And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. And there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away. And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.
The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side.
Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread. And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”
I. The Compassion of Jesus (vv. 1-10)
I. The Compassion of Jesus (vv. 1-10)
Now some critical and liberal scholars believe that Mark made a mistake and he is repeating the same story over again because we see very similar things here from the feeding of the 5, 000 in . And there certainly are parallels.
The New American Commentary: Mark 21. The Feeding of the Four Thousand (8:1–10)
Before commenting on this section, something needs to be said about the parallels between 6:31–7:37 and 8:1–30. They can be observed in the following:
6:31–44
Feeding a multitude
8:1–9
6:45–56
Crossing the lake
8:10
7:1–23
Dispute with the Pharisees
8:11–13
7:24–30
Discussion about bread
8:14–21
7:31–36
Healing
8:22–26
7:37
Confession of faith
8:27–30
However, when you look closely, there are many differences. For example:
“Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, who have eyes to see, but see not, who have ears to hear, but hear not, for they are a rebellious house.
Mark 6:32–44
Mark 8:1–9
5,000+ people, mostly Jews
4,000+ people, mostly Gentiles
With Jesus one day (6:35)
With Jesus three days (8:2)
Took place in Galilee
Took place near the Decapolis
Five loaves, two fish
Seven loaves, a few fish
Twelve baskets left over
Seven baskets left over
(small lunch baskets)
(large hampers)
I think one of the major notable differences is that Jesus as in Gentile territories.
A. The Compassion of Jesus (vv. 1-3)
In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples to him and said to them, “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away.”
Picking up where Jesus left off, Jesus is now in a predominately Gentile crowd. And yet the crowds are willing to forgo food, to hear Jesus teach. Whereas in the first feeding of predominately Jesus, Jesus had compassion on the crowd because they didn’t have a Shepherd. He was concerned about their spiritual need.
When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.
But in this case, Jesus had compassion on them because of their physical need. They were with Jesus for three days in a remote place, and if they went home, they would faint, or be so weary they would not make it home.
Notice Jesus has compassion on them. He is both compassionate to spiritual need AND physical need.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Feeding of the Four Thousand (8:1–9)
The Greek word for “compassion,” splangnizomai, comes from splangnon, meaning entrails or vital organs. In ancient animal sacrifice, the splangnon—heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys—were eaten by priests and sacrificers before a sacrificial animal was offered on the altar. As a consequence of this practice, splangnizomai takes on a metaphorical meaning of being moved deeply within, in the seat of emotions (Matt 9:36). “ ‘I have compassion for these people’ ” expresses Jesus’ gut-wrenching emotion on behalf of the crowd.
“The English word compassion comes from a Latin word meaning, ‘to suffer with,’ and conveys feelings of deep sympathy, pity, and kindness toward those who are hurting.” 386 MacArthur
In other words, Jesus was so moved from within that he wanted to take action. He was moved in the deepest part of him where He wanted to provide.
Preach the Gospel, if necessary use words. Most of us in this room would agree that is a false statement because the gospel needs words. You can’t accept the gospel without believing the Word.
However, I think in our circles, we may swing to the other extreme were we only preach a gospel, but there is not action or compassion that backs up the gospel we preach. Yes, the gospel is the power of God. But people also see the power of God at work in your own life as we consider how we can meet real human needs.
I share the audio book of David Platt I’m listening too. And as a preacher, he was confronted with this reality. Where people in Himalays and poor villages die because they lack basic needs. They may die of an infection that was preventable or treatable if only if they had the basic and necessary medicines. And he was confronted with the reality of both urgent physical and spiritual need. Where Christians he saw worked to provide clean water, but at the same time pointing people to the Water of Life.
Where people needed basic education and literacy, but where the Christians also knew that education alone would not save their souls.
God had compassion on Israel, and he saved the Israelites from the Egyptians.
And we must understand that hospitals, schools, adoption and pregnancy crisis centers have been founded by Christians who wanted to do both physical and spiritual good.
CFBC—Where does a life of good works look like in our community? Where are there needs where we can just do what we can to alleviate needs where there becomes an opportunity for gospel?
It may look like backpacks for school children.
It may look like foodpaks to homeless.
It may look like being a listening ear to someone who has no one to talk to.
It may look like providing transportation to get to church.
It may look like opening our church building for students to study where they wouldn’t have a place to study because mom and dad are working.
Where can we do good to others where it provides an opportunity to do spiritual good? That’s what Jesus did.
B. The Disciples Perplexity (vv. 4-7)
And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?”
And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?” And he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.” And he directed the crowd to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd. And they had a few small fish. And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them.
Mark
The disciples basically asked the same question they did in , yet the difference here is whereas they were wondering how they were going to get enough money to feed the people, here they were asking how were they going to get enough food from such a desolate place.
And he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.” And he directed the crowd to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd.
In the feeding of the 5000, there were only five loaves and two fish sitting in the grass. Here there were seven loaves and a few small fish sitting on the ground. Not the Tilapia type of fish, but the small sardine like fish.
And they had a few small fish. And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them.
And Jesus broke, and gave it to the disciples, and blessed them. Almost similar phrase in , and almost similar wording to what takes place in communion, or the eucharist, which derives its meaning from the word thanksgiving.
C. The Satisfied Crowd (vv. 8-10)
And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. And there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away. And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.
And they crowds ate and were satisfied.
They were satisfied like how you would be satisfied after AYCE Korean BBQ or AYCE Sushi. Jesus had AYCE Bread and Fish. All you can eat Pandasal and Fish.
And there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away.
Jesus did the miracle to again teach His disciples that He has and will and can provide. They didn’t get the lesson the first time!!! And then he retreats again and travels to the Western Shore of Dalmanutha.
And after sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan.
We are not sure the exact location of the the place, but the two names probably referred to the same region. He is now somewhere on the Western Shore of the Sea of Galilee.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark A Sign of Disbelief (8:10–13)
Dalmanutha is thus reasonably identified with Magadan, located on the westernmost part of the Sea of Galilee at the strategic juncture of the Via Maris beneath the cliffs of Arbel.
Christian—Compassion will be moved to meet both physical and spiritual need.
Do what you can to meet your neighbors need. We see this illustrated in the parable of the God Samaritan.
Christian—Trust that God will provide even when it seems humanly impossible.
And you and I know we cannot meet all the needs of everyone. There comes a time in place where we only have five loaves or seven loaves. There comes a time where we just have no resources of our own and we say only God can meet their need. And He will. He Has. And He will in his wisdom meet needs in ways known only to the mind and mystery of God.
Church—How can we do practical good to one another and to the community around us so that it would provide an opportunity to meet people’s greatest spiritual need?
Church—How can we do practical good to one another and to the community around us so that it would provide an opportunity to meet people’s greatest spiritual need?
There is a role of good works in the Christian life. Good works do not earn salvation, they give evidence of salvation.
Church—Let us make sure we are doing good to one another in church. The early church had problems, but they did display their generosity didn’t they?
And all who believed were together and had all things in common.
Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
True compassion will not only feel internally, but reach out externally to meet both physical and spiritual needs. We need to learn compassion from our Savior. But we also need to learn to walk away from hard-hearted skeptics.
True compassion will not only feel internally, but reach out externally to meet both physical and spiritual needs.
Transition: We see the compassion of Jesus with the crowds who are seeking Him for his teaching, but notice we see the frustration of Jesus with the religious teachers who are spiritually blind and willfully stubborn.
II. The Frustration of Jesus (vv. 10-13)
II. The Frustration of Jesus (vv. 10-13)
Now to clarify, this was not a sinful frustration. This is the frustration of the Messiah who were dealing with hard-hearted and stubborn people who refused to believe. Jesus was tender-hearted to the needy, but he was often strong and blunt against the proud in heart.
Now the disciples and Jesus are back in Jewish territory on the Western Shore of Galilee.
A. The Skepticism of the Unbeliever
The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him.
The Pharisees, or the religious leaders, the separated ones, seek out Jesus to argue with him.
And they were wanting to see a sign from heaven to test him. This is not asking from a sincere place, but from one of hostility and skepticism.
How can God allow so much evil in the world? If God were good, why would He allow innocent people to be shot? Why would he allow people to commit mass murder? (The assumption is one of perplexity of the sufferer, or one of hostility assuming that if I were in the place of God, that would never happen under my watch)
There is a way to ask a question that reinforces one skepticism and unbelief.
See, if Jesus failed to produce the sign, that will invalidate his authority. They wanted God to part the clouds and say this is One from heaven (by the way, God already did that at the baptism at Jesus). It wasn’t that the Pharisees didn’t see miracles or hear of Jesus healing (which he did), but they were seeking a greater sign.
They thought Jesus was some magician or religious phoney like some of the wackos we see on Television. They even accused Jesus of doing signs that were in league with Satan.
And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.”
Miracles do not do anything for faith if one is spiritually blind. You don’t need a miracle to create faith. You need the miracle of spiritual sight before you can understand what those signs actually mean.
They weren’t sincere seekers.
B. The Frustration of the Savior
And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”
Jesus sighed deeply in his spirit. The phrase is used earlier in where he signed with the deaf and mute man.
And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.”
I think this is what I called the pastoral sigh.
This is the sigh where you know people who you love in the church, make wrong and stupid decisions. Where the sheep go astray.
This is the sigh of a rebellious and wayward child who will not listen to the loving instruction of a parent.
This is a sigh of frustration where people refused to listen and go their own way to their own harm and destruction.
It’s pastor’s appreciation month. Just love Jesus and follow him. You would give pastor’s around the world less heartache. Just show up.
And what Jesus is saying in the original language is literally, “If a sign is given to this generation, may I die or may God curse me.”
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark A Sign of Disbelief (8:10–13)
It means: “If a sign shall be given to this generation, may I die!” Israel’s disobedience in Moses’ day (Deut 32:5–20) has been bequeathed to Jesus’ day.
The word this generation has echoes of the OT.
For forty years I loathed that generation
and said, “They are a people who go astray in their heart,
and they have not known my ways.”
II. The Frustration of Jesus
III. The Patience of Jesus
I was disgusted with that generation. God was angry at the Israelites by their willful and constant unbelief. Just as the wilderness generation failed to enter into the promised land and obtain the promise of God through unbelief, these religious leaders fail to comprehend the true identity and mission of Jesus. They were spiritually blind.
Christian—Faith sees. While demanding to see a sign hinders faith.
for we walk by faith, not by sight.
Christian—God is not against sincere questioning and doubting, he is against questioning and doubting that is already disposed to negative answer. He is against the type of question that fails to believe or trust in Him.
It is the doubting with your fist raised, not the doubting with your hands in your face asking why God would allow pain or tragedy.
We see throughout the Psalms genuine and sincere questioning: How Long O Lord?
Christian—Don’t force the gospel on someone who doesn’t want to hear it. In the words of Jesus, don’t throw your pearls before swine. And learn to walk away.
And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side.
M
“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.
Jesus did not want to play their mind games. He knew it was a trap.
Church—Religious people can be some of the most hardened individuals.
Some of the people closest in proximity to him, are actually most far away and hardened towards him.
These were people who lived on Scripture, yet failed to see the Lord of the Scripture.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Enemy within (8:14–21)
The hardened heart is a particular problem for religious and moral people (e.g., Rom 2:5). An ignorant heart cannot harden itself. Only a knowing heart can harden itself, and that is why those closest to Jesus—the Pharisees (3:5–6) and the disciples (6:52; 8:17)—stand in the gravest danger. The disciples mirror humanity-at-large, which is so stuck in its own world and cares that it is blind and deaf to God. The disciples are anxious about lack of bread, but Jesus is anxious about their lack of faith.
Don’t be too familiar with Jesus that you lose amazement and awe of Jesus.
Let us be too careful we are so familiar with something, we lose our awe and wonder of something.
Jesus wanted to teach his disciples compassion, faith, but also he wanted to teach his disciples the importance of discernment.
Transition: You see the compassion of Jesus on the crowds, the frustration of Jesus with the religious leaders, and finally we see the patience of Jesus with the short-sighted disciples...
III. The Patience of Jesus (vv. 14-21)
III. The Patience of Jesus (vv. 14-21)
And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side.
Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread.
Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread. And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened?
Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat.
I think this is almost comedic here. Whereas the crowds were lacking food, the religious leaders were lacking faith, the disciples were lacking discernment.
And the irony here is that the disciples often looked no different than the crowds ore the religious leaders.
Who forgot the bread? We only have one loaf of bread for the thirteen of us including Jesus. Did you steal the bread Judas? Did you trade your bread for a knife Simon the Zealot? Did you collect taxes on the bread Matthew? Peter, what about you?
You had one job to do. Bring the bread.
It would be like going to a CFBC beach trip, and someone forgot the hotdogs or the smores for the bonfire. You had one job to do and you failed at it.
But Jesus was not talking about physical bread. He was using the phrase metaphorically.
And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”
He commands them to be discerning against false teaching.
The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Gospel of Mark The Disciples’ Blindness (8:14–21)
Yeast is used metaphorically in a number of ways. While it can directly symbolise evil (1 Cor. 5:8), it can also be used positively as a picture of the growth of the kingdom of God (Mt. 13:33). Its main metaphorical force in the NT seems to be in the powerful growth and influence of yeast (1 Cor. 5:6; Gal. 5:9), and in its association with Jewish Passover observance, which demanded the removal of yeast (1 Cor. 5:7–8).
A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?
And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.”
The New American Commentary: Mark 23. The Failure to Bring Bread and a Warning against Leaven (8:14–21)
Jesus’ purpose in mentioning the matter was to indicate that the disciples were dangerously close to unbelief.
What is the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod? The other gospel tells us the leaven of the Sadducees?
A. Teaching
External vs. internal. Tradition vs. Scripture. Outward vs. inward.
B. Hypocrisy
Didn’t care for their parents. Focused on loopholes. They majored on minors, while minoring on majors.
C. Position
Herod feared man more than he feared God.
D. Sensuality
He made his own daughter dance before military officials.
E. Unbelief
But one thing that unites all of them was their unbelief. The disciples were in danger of falling into the same trap of the pharisees and the sadducees. They all didn’t believe who Jesus was!
And that can happen in church. You can be in church your whole life and be so familiar with Jesus, that Jesus doesn’t mean anything to you. Jesus becomes a cliche, or a phrase, or a 4 point presentation that you don’t know Jesus personally or have a real relationship with him.
Disneyland is what I call the most frustrating and sanctifying place on earth. We use to have passes, but we haven’t been in awhile. And when I went to StarWars Land, I was amazed because I haven’t been there in awhile. It was still new.
But for people who go regularly, you cease to be amazed. Been there, done that.
And that true of Jesus. Been there, done that attitude with Jesus.
Is that your attitude with Jesus?
Preaching the Word: Mark—Jesus, Servant and Savior The Dullness of Jesus’ Disciples (vv. 14-21)
They were his followers. Their problem here came from familiarity. The repeated exposure to his teaching, when not reflected upon and acted upon, worked a progressive insensitivity and dullness in their lives. We experience this as well when we fail to think and act upon what God has revealed to us. It was a case of “use it or lose it.” They were not appropriating what they were seeing and hearing.
“Hear this, O foolish and senseless people,
who have eyes, but see not,
who have ears, but hear not.
And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember?
And Jesus gives a series of questions to teach. Asking questions is often a more powerful way of teaching than just making the statement.
How many of you husbands have ever gotten into a conflict with your spouse and they just have to ask a question to make their point?
Do you not know that ice cream is a nutritous dinner? Do you not know that boxers and pants don’t go on the living room flower, but in the basket? Do you not know there are still dishes on the sink? Do you not understand that children get restless without sleep?
Our wives are not asking questions, but they are making a statement with their question.
That is what Jesus is doing with his disciples. He is rebuking them by questioning them.
Do you not remember?
One of the disciplines of the Christian life is the discipline of remembering. The Israelites were reminded to remember what the Lord had done for them. Communion is a meal to remember what Jesus has done for us. And so many times we forget what the Lord has done for us, so we need to learn again and again.
It’s like wow, I was so moved by the message on Sunday. By Tuesday, what did the pastor preach again?
We are so quick to forget what we hear. That was true of the disciples then, and it is true of us now.
“Hear this, O foolish and senseless people,
who have eyes, but see not,
who have ears, but hear not.
When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.”
“Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, who have eyes to see, but see not, who have ears to hear, but hear not, for they are a rebellious house.
The disciples were just in danger of being just as blind as the Pharisees. And they needed grace and the miracle of sight to also see the true identity of Jesus.
When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.”
Mark
And then he reminds them of the feeding of the 5000. And the 4000. Don’t you get the lesson? Don’t you get who I am? If there is one lesson you should have learned is that you don’t need to worry about physical bread if you have the Bread of life with you in the boat and in walking with you.
And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”
I like the phrase: not yet. Because by grace, they will one day understand all that Jesus did and taught.
They will finally get that all his miracles were to confirm his authority.
And by his authority, he would lay down his life. And by his own authority he would take it up again.
One day they would understand as we will in the following weeks, this is the Messiah!
But this is the Messiah who dies for blind people. This is the Messiah who rises again to create the gift of sight for spiritually blind and dead people.
This is the Messiah who opens hearts.
If you repent and trust in Jesus, you will begin to understand more and more who Jesus really is and what he came to do.
So that the disciples would see clearly who Jesus actually is.
Jesus is so patient.
I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
Christian—Pray for divine illumination.
Christian—Apply the truth you already have.
Christianity is not necessarily new truths, but apply the old truth we have already heard.
Christian—Remember what Jesus has done for you in the past, and what he will do for you in the present and futrue.
Church—Sometimes we need repeated lessons.
Pastor—We need patience with people.
Church—Are you applying what you already know?
Church—Take good sermon notes. Pray about. Apply it. Talk about it and share it.
Summary:
I. We see the compassion of Jesus upon the crowds.
II. We see the frustation of Jesus with the religious leaders who are hard-hearted and unbelieving.
III. We see the patience of Jesus who reminds the disciples to remember what He has done and one day they will get Him when he grants eyes to see and ears to hear.
If we are going to imitate our Lord, we need to be compassionate, believing, and discerning.
By God’s grace, may we be a people who get it. A people understand what Jesus is saying to us, and thus be moved and changed to be as compassionate and patient as He is.
NOTES:
Illustrations: Being too familiar with Disneyland, blind people who can’t see, atheists who raise objections, dumb dull witted disciples who say stupid things, David Platt something needs to change, Unsaved Christian, Noetic effects of sin, testing, asking questions that are not question, husband with wives, babies who lack discernment, forgetting the sermon by tuesday, pastoral sigh, who forgot the hotdogs, AYCE SUSHI AND BBQ, AYCE FISH AND BREAD
Applications: We must meet real needs in compassion, religious people can often be the most hardened unbelieving people, we are the disciples who Jesus is so patient with. Following Jesus means believing in Him, but it also means suffering for Him, we need spiritual sight to see signs,
Leaven: Leaven of hypocrisy, leaven of teaching, leaven of pride, leaven of unbelief
Sometimes we don’t need to learn new truths in the Christian faith, but apply old truths or the truths we already know.
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples
a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine,
of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined.
And he will swallow up on this mountain
the covering that is cast over all peoples,
the veil that is spread over all nations.
He will swallow up death forever;
and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces,
and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth,
for the Lord has spoken.
O Lord, you are my God;
I will exalt you; I will praise your name,
for you have done wonderful things,
plans formed of old, faithful and sure.
For you have made the city a heap,
the fortified city a ruin;
the foreigners’ palace is a city no more;
it will never be rebuilt.
“Come, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
O Lord, you are my God;
I will exalt you; I will praise your name,
for you have done wonderful things,
plans formed of old, faithful and sure.
For you have made the city a heap,
the fortified city a ruin;
the foreigners’ palace is a city no more;
it will never be rebuilt.
Therefore strong peoples will glorify you;
cities of ruthless nations will fear you.
For you have been a stronghold to the poor,
a stronghold to the needy in his distress,
a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat;
for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall,
like heat in a dry place.
You subdue the noise of the foreigners;
as heat by the shade of a cloud,
so the song of the ruthless is put down.
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples
a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine,
of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined.
And he will swallow up on this mountain
the covering that is cast over all peoples,
the veil that is spread over all nations.
He will swallow up death forever;
and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces,
and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth,
for the Lord has spoken.
It will be said on that day,
“Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us.
This is the Lord; we have waited for him;
let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”
For the hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain,
and Moab shall be trampled down in his place,
as straw is trampled down in a dunghill.
And he will spread out his hands in the midst of it
as a swimmer spreads his hands out to swim,
but the Lord will lay low his pompous pride together with the skill of his hands.
And the high fortifications of his walls he will bring down,
lay low, and cast to the ground, to the dust.
The Gospel of Mark 12. The Provision of Bread in the Decapolis. Ch. 8:1–10
The sole purpose of the feeding is to meet the physical needs of the multitude, who chose to be nourished by Jesus’ word rather than bread.
The Gospel of Mark 14. The Failure to Understand. Ch. 8:14–21
The indignant questions concerning hardness of heart and blindness of disposition echo the description of Israel in prophetic literature (Jer. 5:21; Ezek. 12:2; Isa. 6:9 f.) and are related to the distinction between the crowd and the Twelve in Ch. 4:11 f.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Feeding of the Four Thousand (8:1–9)
The Greek word for “compassion,” splangnizomai, comes from splangnon, meaning entrails or vital organs. In ancient animal sacrifice, the splangnon—heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys—were eaten by priests and sacrificers before a sacrificial animal was offered on the altar. As a consequence of this practice, splangnizomai takes on a metaphorical meaning of being moved deeply within, in the seat of emotions (Matt 9:36). “ ‘I have compassion for these people’ ” expresses Jesus’ gut-wrenching emotion on behalf of the crowd.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark Chapter Eight: Removing the Veil (Mark 8:10–9:29)
Both confessions teach that Jesus’ true identity is revealed only through suffering—and that those who are called to follow Jesus must be prepared to participate in his suffering.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark A Sign of Disbelief (8:10–13)
Dalmanutha is thus reasonably identified with Magadan, located on the westernmost part of the Sea of Galilee at the strategic juncture of the Via Maris beneath the cliffs of Arbel.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark A Sign of Disbelief (8:10–13)
It means: “If a sign shall be given to this generation, may I die!” Israel’s disobedience in Moses’ day (Deut 32:5–20) has been bequeathed to Jesus’ day.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Enemy within (8:14–21)
The hardened heart is a particular problem for religious and moral people (e.g., Rom 2:5). An ignorant heart cannot harden itself. Only a knowing heart can harden itself, and that is why those closest to Jesus—the Pharisees (3:5–6) and the disciples (6:52; 8:17)—stand in the gravest danger. The disciples mirror humanity-at-large, which is so stuck in its own world and cares that it is blind and deaf to God. The disciples are anxious about lack of bread, but Jesus is anxious about their lack of faith.
The New American Commentary: Mark 21. The Feeding of the Four Thousand (8:1–10)
Before commenting on this section, something needs to be said about the parallels between 6:31–7:37 and 8:1–30. They can be observed in the following:
6:31–44
Feeding a multitude
8:1–9
6:45–56
Crossing the lake
8:10
7:1–23
Dispute with the Pharisees
8:11–13
7:24–30
Discussion about bread
8:14–21
7:31–36
Healing
8:22–26
7:37
Confession of faith
8:27–30
A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?
The New American Commentary: Mark 23. The Failure to Bring Bread and a Warning against Leaven (8:14–21)
Jesus’ purpose in mentioning the matter was to indicate that the disciples were dangerously close to unbelief.
Preaching the Word: Mark—Jesus, Servant and Savior The Dullness of Jesus’ Disciples (vv. 14-21)
They were his followers. Their problem here came from familiarity. The repeated exposure to his teaching, when not reflected upon and acted upon, worked a progressive insensitivity and dullness in their lives. We experience this as well when we fail to think and act upon what God has revealed to us. It was a case of “use it or lose it.” They were not appropriating what they were seeing and hearing.
For forty years I loathed that generation
and said, “They are a people who go astray in their heart,
and they have not known my ways.”
“Hear this, O foolish and senseless people,
who have eyes, but see not,
who have ears, but hear not.
“Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, who have eyes to see, but see not, who have ears to hear, but hear not, for they are a rebellious house.
Mark 6:32–44
Mark 8:1–9
5,000+ people, mostly Jews
4,000+ people, mostly Gentiles
With Jesus one day (6:35)
With Jesus three days (8:2)
Took place in Galilee
Took place near the Decapolis
Five loaves, two fish
Seven loaves, a few fish
Twelve baskets left over
Seven baskets left over
(small lunch baskets)
(large hampers)
“The English word compassion comes from a Latin word meaning, ‘to suffer with,’ and conveys feelings of deep sympathy, pity, and kindness toward those who are hurting.” 386 MacArthur
The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Gospel of Mark The Disciples’ Blindness (8:14–21)
Yeast is used metaphorically in a number of ways. While it can directly symbolise evil (1 Cor. 5:8), it can also be used positively as a picture of the growth of the kingdom of God (Mt. 13:33). Its main metaphorical force in the NT seems to be in the powerful growth and influence of yeast (1 Cor. 5:6; Gal. 5:9), and in its association with Jewish Passover observance, which demanded the removal of yeast (1 Cor. 5:7–8).
Mark 6:34
When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.
And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.”
