The MARK of a Disciple- Crusifixion

Chapter eight has three primary story context.

1. The feeding of the five thousand.

2. The healing of the blind man.

3. The crucifixion.

The first story is that of the feeding of the four thousand Gentiles. This time we find that there are seven baskets that remained. Each basket representing one of the seven Gentile nations that existed in Israel, prior to the Lord giving the land to Israel.

Deuteronomy 7:1 NKJV

“When the Lord your God brings you into the land which you go to possess, and has cast out many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than you,

God was telling the Gentiles that He was God of both the Jew and the Gentiles.

What we see transpire in chapter eight is reminiscent of chapter six and the feeding of the five thousand. Immediately following the miracle, the disciples leave and soon have forgotten the power of God.

There are several lessons that can be learned.

I. The disciples did not hold onto the blessings of Jesus.

The Bible says that they forgot to bring bread.

TIE IN COMMUNION

However, did they not just collect seven baskets full?

Did they not treasure the blessings of God?

Where they so busy with the ministry that they forgot the basics?

These are just a few questions that must be asked. It is good to be busy about the work of God. However, we must never deny the spiritual needs that exist within our own hearts.

Do you ever fill like you are to busy for your own good? Or maybe a better question would be do you ever fill that you are not to busy?

The business that the disciples were involved in was a good work. They were doing what they were commanded to do. They were not wrong for staying consumed with kingdom work. However, they were not to neglect their own needs.

We must ensure that with all of the business of life that we do not neglect the things of God.

2. Make sure that you do not consume the wrong thing. v.15

Jesus warned them that they don’t fill themselves with religious things that hold no eternal value.

Man has added many things to the Bible and church, pastors, and religion will often attempt to manipulate people into doing what others deem necessary. However, Jesus said, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees. That is don’t become consumed with the teachings and religion of men. Live the Word of God.

Leaven is a lifting agent that causes bread to rise. It will lift things higher than they can go naturally. It is the same as pride.

If the Bible says it is wrong then stay away. It doesn’t matter how the world tries to justify it.

Likewise, if the Bible doesn’t say its sin or warn against it don’t become trapped by the teachings of men. I said it last week and i will say it again. The Word of God is sufficient and it does not need you, me, or some other preacher to add to it. It is enough.

Jesus closed by asking this, “Don’t you understand?”

Do you not know that Jesus if able to meet your needs?

Philippians 4:19 KJV 1900

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

The healing of the blind man.

There are two interesting facts concerning this account. First, Jesus took him away from the crowd. Second He spit in his eyes.

Both of these attributes seem odd. The answer to the first is the same as we discussed last week and that it is probable Jesus did not want to be known as the miracle healer but rather the Savior.

As for the spitting in the eyes, history teaches us that spit was often used in ancient Roman culture for healing. It was used for hurting joints, cure for snake venom, cure epilepsy, and even to awake part of the body that may have went to sleep.

It is possible that Jesus wanted to the miracle to seem reasonable and not as if he had performed magic. Furthermore, it is possible that his blindness had accrued eye mucus that had hardened and the spit softened the mucus so that Jesus could wipe it off. Thus, the reason that Jesus touched his eyes.

However, what we do know is that Jesus opened his eyes so that he could see.

Finally we come to the text.

Jesus, after asking the disciples who people claimed Him to be. Told the disciples that he would die and raise three days later.

There are several key aspects to the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord.

THE IMPACT OF THE RESURRECTION

Lenora McWhorter

We celebrate the resurrection and hail the risen Christ. We kneel before the rugged cross where Jesus gave His life. We lift our hands in total praise and give thanks to God above for the great sacrifice He made to declare His unfailing love. If we look back to Calvary where Jesus was crucified, we can see His nail-pierced hands and the wounds in His side. We marvel at Christ's suffering and give thanks for His sacrifice 'cause it was for us that Jesus died so we could have eternal life. But God raised Jesus from the dead! And with gratitude we can say, "Our sin debt has been paid in full," so we celebrate Resurrection Day!

I. It will give us the heart of God.

Jesus rebuked Peter because he was listening to the flesh and not Jesus.

Do you have the heart of Jesus?

Philippians 2:5–8 KJV 1900

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Jesus condemned Peter because he was listening to his own desires and flesh instead of God.

Are you listening to your own heart?

As we celebrate Easter this is a time for us to stop and reflect upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

I truly believe that if we can ever grasp the great cost that was made on Calvary we will be willing and ready to submit our wills to that of the Father.

However, the issue is that, like Peter, we impose our will instead of surrendering our will.

II. The resurrection represents the life we can have through Him.

The greatest honor that we can give Jesus is to live for Him.

Likewise. the greatest dishonor is to live of life of disservice.

The power of the resurrection is evident through a life lived for Christ.

Romans 6:4 NKJV

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

The resurrection gives new life for all who trust in Jesus.

In Genesis 2:17

Genesis 2:17 ESV

but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Here we see that death came to Adam and Eve on the day they ate of the fruit. Although, there was not a physical death that transpired that day there was a spiritual death and the beginning of death which is sin.

A person that lives in unrepentant sin is a person that has not experienced the life found in Jesus. For the child of God, the new life is an awakening to the things of God and life of God’s Spirit within the heart.

Do you have a victorious life?

Have you experienced the resurrection and new life found in Jesus?

When you partake of His resurrection you will be awakened to the things of God and as David you too will say, “My sin is ever before me.” PS. 51:3

Psalm 51:3 NKJV

For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me.

In verse 34 Jesus says that we must deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow him.

Matthew Henry says that this verse along with Luke 14.27 means that we deny our desires and pleasures for the sake of Christ.

Luke 14:27 KJV 1900

And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

If you are seeking to save your own life (AKA, the pleasure of life), you will lose the life you cherish. But if you will lose your life, let go and surrender your life, you will find and experience the joy that only Christ can offer.

Jesus asks a question that is good for both the disciples and you and me. What is the profit if we gain the world and loose our souls?

Therefore, let us recap the power of life that is found in Jesus and the miracle of the resurrection.

Jesus was crucified on Thursday, buried that evening Friday (or what we would call Thursday night), and resurrected early Sunday morning.

We celebrate today because this is the day when Jesus rose from the dead.

In His death, he broke the power of sin and paid the price so that we may have forgiveness of sins.

In His resurrection, He broke the sting of death so that we may have life and have it more abundantly.

John 10:10 KJV 1900

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Today, I ask you this question. Have you experienced the resurrection of Jesus. Do you know the forgiveness of sin that only He can give? Do you know the joy and fulness of life that comes with life n Christ?

If not can what is keeping you from coming to Jesus.

Ephesians 2:1 KJV 1900

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

John 6:37 KJV 1900

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

I will leave you with this final message from Jesus in Revelation 22:16-17

Revelation 22:16–17 KJV 1900

I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Today, will you come to Jesus?