Mark 8
After three days the great multitude with Jesus had nothing to eat; coming from far away, they would faint if sent away without eating. The disciples wondered how in the desert could these have their need for bread satisfied. Jesus asked what was available. There were seven loaves and a few small fishes. Jesus, having blessed and broken the loaves, commanded the disciples to serve the food to the people. After all were full, His disciples took up seven baskets full of the food that remained. Seven speaks of perfection, also completeness.
A Sing From Heaven
The Pharisees asked for a sign from heaven. Why did Jesus sigh deeply in spirit? The Son of God was in their midst and none could convince Him of sin. He did works that no other man did. He went about doing good, asking nothing again, yet in the face of such testimony, they asked for a sign from Him. Jesus said to them that He would not give them a sign.
Their behavior opens up for us the blindness in the unregenerate heart of man. Jesus "came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." John 1:11,1211He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:11‑12).
If they had received Jesus in their hearts, the sunshine in all its brightness would have entered their souls. They would have become the children of God and have entered into His kingdom. But in their persistent blindness, they asked for a sign, when He, the One who was brighter than the sun that He had created, was there.
Leaven of the Pharisees
The Lord had told the disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod. The disciples thought that He had reprimanded them because they had forgotten to take bread, but He was seeking to warn them of the evil with which they were surrounded among God's earthly people. Yes! there were not only enemies without, but also within.
The Lord reminds them of the five loaves and the two fishes, also the seven loaves and the few fishes, as much as to say, "Where is your faith?" They were so concerned with the natural food that they did not listen and understand about the leaven of the Pharisees. Are we so taken up with natural things that we do not pay attention to God's warnings about the evil that threatens our souls?
The Blind Man of Bethsaida
A blind man was brought to Jesus. The people asked Jesus to touch him. Taking the blind man out of town, He spit on his eyes, and put His hands on him, asking him if he saw. He, looking up, said, "I see men as trees, walking." After putting His hands on him again and having him look up, he saw clearly. Jesus sends him away, instructing him not to go into or tell anyone from the town.
When you think of a newborn child, you understand how long it takes for the child to correctly see different objects. With them there is no distinction between a round or a square toy. Thus it is with a new believer. He hasn't yet come to understanding. Patience is needed for one to help him. Jesus, the perfect Servant, teaches us important lessons. The believer, as he grows, needs the Holy Spirit to open up the truth to him. Prayer provides the opportunity for the Spirit to open the holy Word of God to enlighten more and more.
Caesarea and Philippi
Jesus asked His disciples, "Whom do men say that I am?" They said, "John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets." He asked who they would say He was. Peter answered, 'Thou art the Christ." The answers show the difference between human reason and the Divine intelligence, which the disciples had. They were told not to tell anyone this thing.
Jesus told His disciples of His rejection, suffering, death and resurrection. In response, Peter rebuked the Lord for what He had said about His death. Jesus answered, "Get thee behind Me, Satan: for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men."
Making His rejection known to the people and the disciples, He said that the path of faith, following a rejected Christ, would be to deny oneself, take up one's cross and follow Jesus. If one would spare his life here, he would lose it. Losing his life for the gospel and Jesus' sake, he would find it.
The subject is not salvation, but keeping or losing one's life-the time spent on earth. There is no profit in gaining the world and losing one's soul; what would you give in exchange for your soul? Souls are daily being sold for money, riches, houses, lands, wives, husbands, position, honor and many other things.
One who is ashamed of Jesus and His words in an adulterous generation would find the Son of man ashamed of him when He came in the Father's glory with the holy angels.