Mark 8:11-21

Mark 8:11–21 ESV

11 The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. 12 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.” 13 And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side. 14 Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. 15 And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” 16 And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread. 17 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? 18 Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? 19 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.” 20 “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” 21 And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”

Faithfulness Pharisees seek proof. V. 11-13

Imagine a boy friend before a couple begins to date tell the girlfriend… ok ok. I need to know you are who you say you are. So, in order for me to know for sure… i need to see a sign… or proof that you really are a faithful person and that you aren’t going to cheat on me.

HOW RUDE WOULD THAT BE? First off… (if this girl has had no history), the boy has no reason to believe that she will not be faithful. (The dude doesn’t know his history.)

Also, requiring a sign or proof of somebody really being who they tell you they are, includes nothing of faith. At that point, it isn’t faith.

Asking for a sign from Jesus by the Pharisees show’s their cards in a few different ways…

first it shows that they do not remember, or do not understand what scripture says. They did not interpret the scripture in the right way to know they should be looking for somebody who may look like Jesus. Not like somebody to look like a Ceasar.

They should have been looking for somebody who looked like a SUFFERING SERVANT. Not a man who’s focus was political whose drive was personal gain.

When we see the Pharisees here, something to set straight is that they aren’t seeking a miracle here (which was somewhat widely done at this time), no no… they were seeking a SIGN. They wanted Him to do something spectacular, like bringing fire from heaven or bread from heaven, or the Father revealing Himself. THIS would ultimately show and prove that He was indeed sent from God.

POINT:

An irrefutable sign would compel faith. Commitment to Jesus must be voluntary.

“The desire for a sign from heaven was but another evidence of their unbelief, for faith does not ask for signs. True faith takes God at His Word and is satisfied with the inward witness of the Spirit.”

Disciples worried about the physical while JESUS is warning them of the spiritual. Vv. 14-21a

Somebody forgot to get into the boat with the leftovers.

All they have is one loaf in the boat with them. Jesus says something about the leaven of the Pharisees and Harod, they’re confused because it seems like they take this literally. Why is Jesus confused about leaven when we don’t have hardly any bread!?!?

Now just remember, if you’re the disciples why worry about food if Jesus is in the boat with you!?!?!? WHY??? Their sitting here literally talking about their food supply, probably blaming each other for forgetting.

It appears that they were almost as blind as the pharisees!

Jesus had just over the last few chapters, maybe few months to a year on two occasions fed multitudes. Over 10,000 people. And this apparently had little impression on them.

GOD’S PEOPLE OFTEN HAVE A TENDENCY TO FORGET HIS BLESSINGS.

HE MEETS OUR NEEDS, BUT WHEN PROBLEMS ARISES, WE COMPLAIN OR BECOME FRIGHTENED, OR FORGET.

OR, WE GET SO FIXATED ON THE PHYSICAL, ON THE WORLDLY PROBLEMS. AND WE FORGET ABOUT THE WAY MORE IMPORTANT SPIRITUAL ASPECT OF THIS LIFE ON EARTH.

THINGS WE WORRY ABOUT THAT ARE WORLDLY:

RELATIONSHIPS

MONEY

DRAMA

SPORTS…SPORTS…SPORTS…SPORTS

BOYFRIEND & GIRLFRIEND

POPULARITY (HOW I’M VIEWED)

SOCIAL MEDIA

I COULD GO ON AND ON

Psalm 103:1–2 ESV

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,

Jesus is literally in the boat with them while they worry about bread. Students… we often worry about momentary afflictions, worldly issues while Jesus is in the boat with us! Let us set our sites on eternity and off of our wordly worries. JESUS IS ENOUGH.

Jesus here must have grieved that His handpicked helpers were taking so long to hear, see and understand who is was. Their minds were dull, their hearts were hard (Mark 6:52), their eyes were blind, and their ears were deaf (Mark 4:11-12).

It is because of this that the disciples are warned to stray away from the same leaven of as the Pharisees & Herod.

Mostly, YEAST or LEAVEN when used in scripture is speaking of evil. Within Mark, leaven is identifying the Pharisees and their teaching. (Unbelief & false doctrine.) As for Herod, it could be directed toward his adultery, murder, and political ambition.

PROBABLY FOR BOTH GROUPS MEANING UNBELIEF.

Each Passover season, the Jews had to remove all leaven from their dwellings (Ex. 12:18-20), and leaven was not allowed with the offerings (Ex. 28:18; 34:25; Lev. 2:11).

in The NT… Evil, like leaven, is a small and hidden, but it spreads and soon effects the whole.

Galatians 5:9 CSB

9 A little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough.

You see leaven is a natural rising agent. It’s a fermented mixture of water, flour & microscopic yeasts which are present in the air. When baking, it created a foaming action that lightens & or softens the mixture. BUT, a little bit goes a long way. As soon as you place leaven into a mixture, it spreads throughout very quickly.

Jesus here is telling the disciples that they are dangerously close to unbelief.

Mark is telling the disciples; beware of the influence of the Pharisees and Herod. This warning concerns the evil influence of Herod (which they were aware), but also the evil that characterized the Pharisees.

Students, beware of the popular cultural leaven of unbelief. Refuse to allow it’s subtle invasion to sink into your own heart & soul.

Allow us not to miss what the disciples almost missed! That Jesus is the Christ! V. 21b

By performing these miracles, Jesus did more than feed hungry people and more than suggest spiritual provision first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. He intended to show the disciples that He was the Christ! Jesus was the Messiah!

At the time, they failed to understand this great truth, although that wouldn’t last for very long.