Sermon Tone Analysis
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Introduction
This morning we are continuing the series that we’ve been calling “Jesus the Suffering Servant.”
In this series we have been going through the book of Mark.
Today, we pick up our story in the eighth chapter.
This is a “WATCH OUT!” message!
It seems like everywhere we look people are sounding the alarm.
Over the past two years, the biggest alarms have been about COVID-19.
Even today, there are warnings about the infection rates and the dangers of the new variants.
Cries to get vaccinated, and warning to wear masks, maintain social distance, and isolate.
Today, there are other warnings!
Warnings about Global Warming and Climate Change; about animals going extinct at an alarming rate.
Warnings and fear of race relation problems and social unrest.
If these were not enough, there is the political warnings that seem like they are sounding EVERY day, and it doesn’t matter which side of the political fence you’re on.
Warning, after warning!
Warnings all around us.
No matter where we turn there are warnings!
God’s Word also has warnings!
Jesus gave His disciples a pretty stern warning in our passage today, and it is a warning that we need to hear.
If you have your Bibles, I want to encourage you to turn with me to Mark chapter 8.
The Large Crowds Continue
The Crowd
There’s another large crowd.
Once again the people have nothing to eat.
The people had been there for THREE days!
I wonder how Jesus and His disciples felt—ministering non-stop for three days.
Jesus was worried about the people, because they had nothing to eat.
They had a physical need—and Jesus was concerned enough to meet that need!
Jesus wanted His disciples to meet the need (by inference).
Say What?
The disciples know what Jesus is asking, but they don’t see any way they can meet the need.
Look at verse 4.
Jesus begins to ask them about the previsions that they do have.
We find out that they have seven loaves—roll size—or small loaf.
Down in verse 7 we find out that they had “a few small fish.”
But in the eyes of the disciples these resources are not enough to meet the needs of so many people.
But look what happens next!
Amazing!
This time Jesus feeds 4,000 men.
Some have suggested that this is a repeat of Mark chapter 6.
However, most scholars recognize that there are enough differences between the two events that Jesus probably fed two different crowds at two different times.
One big difference is in the size of the basketfuls of leftovers.
These baskets were the big rope baskets—the kind the fishermen used to carry their catch from the boat to where they would sell them.
They were big enough that a man could climb inside one.
They weren’t the small baskets, that held a couple of gallons, that were used the first time.
Now Jesus has been in the region of “Ten Cities” or the “Decapolis.”
Now, after sending the crowds away, Jesus and His disciples get into a boat and go back across the Sea of Galilee to the region of Dalmanutha.
Most scholars believe that this area was the same as the region of Magadan.
The Pharisees
As soon as they land, the Pharisees—religious teachers—come and begin challenging Jesus.
They want a sign!
They want a sign from heaven.
In other words, they want Jesus to “prove” His claims.
They want Jesus to prove He is the Messiah.
To prove that He is YHWH.
I love Jesus’ response!
Jesus refuses to prove His identity.
But think about it, everything He has done has proved His claims!
The truth is every miracle that Jesus did proved that He was the Messiah!
In fact, the reality is that Jesus is the miraculous sign!
Back in the Boat!
Leaving by boat did two things for Jesus.
First, it stopped any further discussion.
The Pharisees couldn’t simply walk along with Him and keep the challenge going.
Secondly, it was a faster, and more relaxing way to get to a new location around the Sea of Galilee.
Now , in verse 14, we get an interesting tidbit of information.
Jesus and His disciples got back in the boat and headed to the other side so quickly, that the disciples didn’t pack everything up and get it all to the boat.
Now, while they are sailing along, Jesus begins to talk to them.
Now remember, the disciples forgot the big baskets of bread.
So, they are focused on the mistake that they made!
But Jesus is talking about much more!
So Jesus is going to redirect their focus back onto His subject matter.
Look at verse 17.
Jesus didn’t need them to do anything!
He fed 5000+ and they picked up 12 two gallon stiff basketfuls of leftovers.
He fed 4000+ and they picked up 7 large rope basketfuls of leftovers.
There’s no way Jesus was talking about them leaving the baskets back on the shore—so what was he talking about?
Jesus is upset that they are not understanding the truth of His identity any better than the Pharisees understood.
How could they have been with Him so long, and still not understood Jesus’ true identity?
How could they have been with Him, and seen all the miracles that He had done and not understand His message?
The disciples repeatedly did not understand Jesus’ miracles, or His teachings.
So far, Mark has told us these men have said: “What is this new teaching?”
(1:27); “We have never sen anything like this!” (2:15); “Who is this?
Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (4:41); “They were completely amazed.”
(6:51); “They asked him about the parable. .
.” (7:17)—and now here in chapter 8 it never crosses their mind that Jesus could feed 4000 men with just a seven small loaves and a few small fish (even though He had done it before!).
Even after seeing all that Jesus has done the disciples are still not accepting His true identity.
That’s why He asks them, “Do you still not understand?”
SO WHAT?
What about us?
We can look at the Bible and see all that God has done through the ages.
We can look at he Gospels and see all that Jesus did while here on this earth.
I can even look and see all that the Lord has done in my life!
And often I still don’t understand!
When trials and struggles come, I often don’t understand.
I ask questions like, “Why me, Lord?” “What are you doing, Lord?” “How long, Lord?” and sometimes I find myself saying, “No Lord! Please No!”
Then there are times when I react just like the disciples—and I wonder, “Who is this God that He can do whatever He wants to do?”
This morning, I want each one of us to examine our lives.
What is Jesus asking you to do for Him? Are you arguing with Him? Telling Him that He’s asking for too much?
What miracles does He want to do in your life?
Physical healing?
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