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Before we read this session’s passage, let’s recap where Jesus has taken us so far.  Jesus has been on the move—both geographically, and with a purpose.  His movement begins with the feeding of the 5,000; probably most of whom, if not all, were Jesus (6:34 – 44).  Jesus then eliminated the ritual distinctions of clean and unclean (7:1 – 19).  Following this, he immediately moved into Gentile territory, and healed the daughter of a Gentile woman (7:24 – 30).  Continuing through Gentile territory, Jesus then feed 4,000—most (if not all) of whom were likely Gentiles.  Put succinctly, Jesus is increasing his ministry to Gentiles.  It is this which may be responsible for the reaction we read in this session.

Signs

Read Mark 8:11 – 13.  In the Old Testament, a sign was a confirmation that someone was a prophet—it proved their legitimacy.  In a sense, the Pharisees probably considered themselves justified in asking for a sign.  We asked why Jesus might have been reluctant to give a sign, and shared the following thoughts:

• The request came from unbelief.  Study of Scripture should have led the Pharisees to know.

• They’d already been given many signs.

• He’s fed up.  What is one more sign going to prove?  He’s tired of being tested.

It is additionally important to keep the following thoughts in mind:

• Human prophets may have given signs, but Jesus is no mere human prophet.  He is God in the flesh, and as such need not give in to human whims.

• The word “test” is the same word as “tempt” in 1:13—the Pharisees are unwittingly recreated the Temptation all over again.

• There is a certain futility in the request.

Gilbert Bilezikian says, “The kind of messiah they want will never come.  They are determined to find a compliant superman who is endowed with heavenly powers and will fulfill their own earthly program.”

• Jesus’ ministry occurs on his terms, not theirs.

Ronald Kernaghan writes, “Jesus refused once again to allow his critics to define the terms of the debate.  He had done what he had done, and he refused to argue about it.”

We then asked the question:  what happens when God works in a way we don’t expect?

Yeast

Read Mark 8:14 – 21.  Jesus here speaks metaphorically, but the disciples are still thinking literally.

• Jesus uses teachable moments.

• This is the Jesus who multiplies bread; what they had would have been more than enough.

We asked the question:  why does Jesus speak in terms of Metaphors/Parables, and not clearly?  Some of our thoughts:

• It helps us draw on our own accounts and apply them to our lives; makes them real.

• He wants them to delve deeper; food for thought, think about it, seed to grow.

When I was a little boy, I was once trying to cook something in the kitchen.  The recipe called for a certain fraction (say ⅔ a teaspoon), but I had a different measurement unit (say ⅛ of a teaspoon).  I asked my father how to get the correct measurement.  Rather than simply tell me, he started working the mathematics out loud, trying to lead me through it.  This was typical of my father, and on this particular occasion I lost my patience and cried out, “Just give me the answer!”  On this occasion he did, but as I said, this was not his practice.  He knew that at some point I was going to need to learn to think for myself.

Speaking in metaphorical/parabolic language teach us to process, which in turn prepares us for further life situations.  If a child asks you, “What’s 6 x 4,” and you answer, “48,” the next day they’re going to ask you “What’s 3 x 7,” and then “What’s 8 x 6.”  Each time they’ll come to you with a question, unless you teach them to think in terms of process.  One wonders if this is part of what Jesus is trying to do:  to teach his disciples—and today, us—how to process.

Next session, we reach not only the mid-point of Mark's Gospel, but one of the most important confessions ever.  See you then!
 

In Christ,

--Pastor Dan