Mark 8:16-21
16 They began to discuss with one another the fact that they had no bread. 17 And Jesus, aware of this, *said to them, “Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet see or understand? Do you have a hardened heart? 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 you picked up?” They *said to Him, “Twelve.” 20 “When I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of broken pieces did you pick up?” And they *said to Him, “Seven.” 21 And He was saying to them, “Do you not yet understand?”
Message: The Disciples' Hardness
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
Preface:
Jesus continues his journey to preach the Gospel: Repent and Believe.
Along the way I see 3 main ideas mentioned:
1. Healings that Jesus performs;
2. Lessons primarily to the disciples about the power of God.
3. Questions from the Pharisees about the validity of Jesus.
In the previous 2 verses, there was 1 verse from the disciples that there was no bread and Jesus responded by talking about the leaven of the Pharisees. I was a little bewildered with the leaven response after the exclamation from the disciples that they had no bread, but I suppose we are picking that up here now.
R.C. Sproul states, “We all need to examine ourselves in the light of God’s Word to be sure the deadly leaven of the Pharisees is not working in us, blinding us to the light and making us deaf to the life-giving Word.” Various places in the Bible it mentions that we need to guard our hearts. We need to not think that simply going to church every week or even reading our Bible regularly keeps us safe from temptations we have in our lives to have our light blinded. We always need to be on the alert.
Now I see the link between those words yesterday about the leaven and the disciples being more focused on the current condition of not having bread. The disciples are often staring at seemingly shortages in providence and assuming that their lack of something is a problem. Jesus clearly doesn't want them to worry about things. Instead of worrying God wants us to ask him for what we need. But their shortsightedness is frustrating to the Lord. He was saying to them, “Do you not yet understand?”
Do you have a hardened heart? - This seems like a strong statement by Jesus. I mean, a hardened heart because they are not trusting God for his providence but instead worried about their next meal? That's it. They are worried about their next meal. They are worried. And Jesus is like, "don't you get it. You can trust me."
But, I struggle with even this. I spend so much of my day worrying. I'm concerned about so many things. But, aren't these things to trust God on? Or are they? I think that is where I struggle. I mean, how far-reaching do I apply this? For instance, my son and his problem of not listening to us. The fact that he comes home late at night sometimes, after midnight, way past our curfew. He isn't out every night late, but sometimes, maybe once a week he will come home at 2am. Do I say anything? Sometimes I do. His behavior will change one evening and then he will be back at it. Do I say anything again? Where on this continuum with him do I simply say, "God I trust you." Or am I supposed to intercede as a parent? Lord, that's where I struggle. I read these words to trust you, but what does it mean? I struggle with being passive or active in my life. It is an either/or sort of thing for me. I don't know how to do both. We've set a priority of school and yet, it feels like the priority is only our priority and not his.
His heart is hard. That's clear. But, is mine hard too? I mean, is it hard because I'm not trusting you but instead relying on what I know? Here, Jesus, explains to them everything. when
I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of
broken pieces you picked up?” They *said to Him, “Twelve.” Here is the evidence guys. I took five loaves and I fed 5,000 and there were leftovers. Jesus is saying, "Guys, I took care of your need for food, for the meal, and for after that." When I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of broken pieces did you pick up?” And they *said to Him, “Seven.” Two times he does it. Two times. He provides.
Summary - The disciples don't get it. Jesus keeps taking care of their needs and yet, the disciples continue to not see it. They continue to be bothered and worried that they don't have what they need. Jesus calls out that they have a hardened heart. God is providing, but they are not trusting Him and at the next moment, they are worried about their next meal. Jesus reviews to them what he had done in feeding 5,000 and 4,000 and having food left over. They see it. But, do they understand?
Promise: Jesus teaches us continually. He continually shows us his ways. I do not have to worry. He will take care of my basic needs, not necessarily all of my needs but He is there. I can trust Him. I don't need to worry.
My Prayer: Lord, in these verses, you seem impatient with your disciples. It is like you are tired of them not believing in you, not trusting in you. You are with them through everything and you continue to provide. And they continue to not trust. Is this me Lord, as well? I feel like it is because I wallow back and forth between reading Your Word and even memorizing it, and then not trusting. I have this problem of wanting to be in control. And when I don't get my way, I get mad or sad. I've never noticed this before God, but my heart is hardened. I always thought a person with a hard heart was someone rejecting you. But, these disciples dropped everything to follow you and then struggled with faith in you at the given moments of their lives.
That's me.
That's me.
Lord, I take this moment, out of my day and for this moment, I see myself. I see that my heart is hardened. Lord, I don't know even know how to pray at this moment, what to pray for, so I will just rest in You. And trust that you will speak to me.
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Sunday, May 27, 2018
Mark 8:14-15 - The Leaven of the Pharisees and the Leaven of Herod
Mark 8:14-15
14 And they had forgotten to take bread, and did not have more than one loaf in the boat with them. 15 And He was giving orders to them, saying, “Watch out! Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”
Message: The Leaven of the Pharisees and the Leaven of Herod
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
Preface: Jesus continues his journey to preach the Gospel: Repent and Believe. But not everyone believes. He sees in people differences of belief and unbelief. Along the way Jesus has a desire to meet people's needs as many have needs and have sacrificed much simply to come see and hear from Him. But the Pharisees are also questioning Him, seeing in Him something much different from the tradition of the time. Most recently, he has declared to the Pharisees that he isn't there to put on a magic show and show them a sign as he knows mere signs will not bring them to faith.
Those questions from the Pharisees in verses 11-13 were an interlude and now Jesus comes back to the disciples, who were with him, entering a boat, on their way to the district of Dalmanutha, the region of Galilee. After feeding the 4000, they ate and were satisfied; and they picked up seven large baskets full of what was left over of the broken pieces. Then Jesus entered the boat with His disciples. And now we read they had forgotten to take bread, and did not have more than one loaf in the boat with them. So after feeding 4,000 and having bread left over they got into the boat, but left the bread behind or maybe they had sent it with the 4,000 people who were returning their journey home. Either way, they did not have bread.
But Jesus wants to teach them something through this process as he always does. It is like he can't seem to get through a message with the disciples. They continue to make their decisions about what they can see in front of them. Jesus is trying to have them look at life through His eyes and what God can provide. They are not to look at life just with one sense: their eyes. The message of the Gospel includes beholding the Power of God and believing in it. It is believing that God can change circumstances beyond what we can see or even according to our understanding (Prov. 3:5). It is trusting in the power of God. It is a sobering lesson and reminder to me as I navigate through life. Is my hope in life short-sighted?
Jesus transitions to a statement on leaven. Leaven expands dough. Leaven or yeast ferments the starches in the dough and cause the dough to increase in size. Without it, the dough would just be flat and not rise. One does not need much leaven, but just a little is needed. Leaven is a common term used in the Bible and it generally is speaking of sin in a person. The little amount of sin, while seemingly insignificant has far-reaching outcomes.
So, Jesus says Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” Look out, even the little amount of leaven that the Pharisees bring forward can transform what is good and useful into something bad and useless. It is unclear exactly what was being referred to that would taint things, but no matter, there is the warning that a little can change a lot in life.
I notice this. In life we tend to call out the big sins: murder, corruption, embezzlement, adultery, alcoholic or other addictions - we call out the things that society might throw you in a jail cell or prison for a long time. Right now, in our country the issue is sexual harassment. And that itself is a good example, because that is something that may seem insignificant to one person, but to another person, the offending party, it materializes into something bigger. I notice in life then that what we often do is dance with danger. In a subtle manner, we allow things to come into our lives and view them as harmless and over time they take over.
I continue to be amazed at American society and this age of entertainment in which we live in. All o life seems to center on this, to the point that we are now in a constant state of not simply rewriting our morals, but abandoning them. So, we must be careful, as Numbers points out, be careful in our lives of what we are allowing to effect it.
Summary: Jesus continues to teach through all of life's circumstances. This is the amazing thing about Jesus is he takes any situation and teaches. Here the disciples have gotten on a boat without the food they had and Jesus startles them with the idea that they need to be aware of how they can in a subtle way be drawn away. He uses the bread to speak of the leaven. Don't get caught up in what you don't have.
Promise: From Tabletalk - When we harden our hearts even just a little bit and refuse to obey God on what we might consider a minor matter, we introduce leaven in our lives that can spread to other areas. It is imperative, therefore, that we regularly repent of our disobedience and seek to obey the Lord in all of life. We should be striving for obedience in all matters, not just the really "big" ones.
Prayer: Lord, help me to value all of life and to take seriously all my choices of how I spend my time. I want to not only glorify you, but protect myself from the way I allow matter into my life that does not please you. Guard us Lord.
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Mark 8:11-13 - A Generation that Sought a Sign
Mark 8:11-13
11 The Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, to test Him. 12 Sighing deeply in His spirit, He *said, “Why does this generation seek for a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” 13 Leaving them, He again embarked and went away to the other side.
Message: A Generation that Sought a Sign
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
Preface: Jesus, after spending get-away time in Tyre and Sidon and Decapolis area also heals a demon possessed daughter and a blind man. Prior to this Jesus was emphasizing to his disciples and even the scribes the focus on the heart of man, as the Pharisees continued to emphasize the outward works. Jesus is really concerned about the heart. He spends time with many people, who have come from far away to see Him and then he takes care of their need to eat, using what has been provided, multiplying it for what everyone needs. He then leaves, with the disciples on a boat to the district of Dalmanutha.
I haven't done an entry in 2 weeks, simply allowing the other parts of life to fill up my time. We were on vacation for 6 days attending a wedding in Atlanta for my wife's nephew, but in general I have not been prioritizing time in the Word. Therefore, it is taking me a moment to get my mind wrapped around this text. In general, I think Jesus is trying to continue his message of repent and believe pronounced after his baptism. He is willing to teach many things along the way, often dispelling people's assumptions about Him or the way they have previously been trained to think of God.
After feeding the 4,000 he goes with the disciples to the town of Dalmanuthu or Magadan, in the region of Galilee. Mark mentions that as Jesus came into the City, The Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him. The Pharisees arguing with Jesus was not uncommon. Jesus continues to share with the Pharisees the idea of the inside, the inward, motivations rather than the outward. But, this goes against their thinking. And it goes against our thinking today. We still live most of our life and judge life based upon what we see.
Thus, they were seeking from Him a sign from heaven, to test Him. For them, having Jesus was not good enough. I often think today if people could just see Jesus then they would believe, but many would still not be changed. Here he was living and working in people's lives and yet, many were still not convinced. Here, they were somewhat demanding proof.
Jesus' response: Sighing deeply in His spirit. I think it is great how we consistently get to experience in the Gospels, the humanity of Jesus. Jesus was fully human and even though he was God he thought and expressed himself often as a human. And this is an example. Undoubtedly He was amazed that people who had already seen or heard directly from those that had seen Jesus remained unbelieving. He must have realized that nothing he says will be good enough. This is the tragedy in life often, that people are sometimes so set in their ways that change or seeing something differently is not possible. We become conditioned to think and believe a certain way. And so this is Jesus' response. There was a stark difference in people for the healing he had previously performed were coming from people that did believe in him. Where these Pharisees clearly did not believe.
Summary: Jesus, even after all he has done, still receives words of unbelief from so many. And this reminds us that some people have a stubborn spirit and will only change as the Lord softens their hearts. Jesus here is in the town of Dalmanuthu, in the area of Galilee and this reading has the Pharisees questioning him, again.
Promise: Nothing we can do or say can convince those that have hardened their hearts to believe in Christ. Only God can overcome it.
Prayer: Lord, soften hearts. My heart breaks for people to not be convinced of you. My heart breaks when people think their physical needs must be met first. Lord, you have healed us eternally and have saved us today, tomorrow, and for all time. Lord, for those that do not follow you, I pray that their hearts would be softened by You God. I continue to pray Ezekiel 36:26 for many - I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
11 The Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, to test Him. 12 Sighing deeply in His spirit, He *said, “Why does this generation seek for a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” 13 Leaving them, He again embarked and went away to the other side.
Message: A Generation that Sought a Sign
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
Preface: Jesus, after spending get-away time in Tyre and Sidon and Decapolis area also heals a demon possessed daughter and a blind man. Prior to this Jesus was emphasizing to his disciples and even the scribes the focus on the heart of man, as the Pharisees continued to emphasize the outward works. Jesus is really concerned about the heart. He spends time with many people, who have come from far away to see Him and then he takes care of their need to eat, using what has been provided, multiplying it for what everyone needs. He then leaves, with the disciples on a boat to the district of Dalmanutha.
I haven't done an entry in 2 weeks, simply allowing the other parts of life to fill up my time. We were on vacation for 6 days attending a wedding in Atlanta for my wife's nephew, but in general I have not been prioritizing time in the Word. Therefore, it is taking me a moment to get my mind wrapped around this text. In general, I think Jesus is trying to continue his message of repent and believe pronounced after his baptism. He is willing to teach many things along the way, often dispelling people's assumptions about Him or the way they have previously been trained to think of God.
After feeding the 4,000 he goes with the disciples to the town of Dalmanuthu or Magadan, in the region of Galilee. Mark mentions that as Jesus came into the City, The Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him. The Pharisees arguing with Jesus was not uncommon. Jesus continues to share with the Pharisees the idea of the inside, the inward, motivations rather than the outward. But, this goes against their thinking. And it goes against our thinking today. We still live most of our life and judge life based upon what we see.
Thus, they were seeking from Him a sign from heaven, to test Him. For them, having Jesus was not good enough. I often think today if people could just see Jesus then they would believe, but many would still not be changed. Here he was living and working in people's lives and yet, many were still not convinced. Here, they were somewhat demanding proof.
Jesus' response: Sighing deeply in His spirit. I think it is great how we consistently get to experience in the Gospels, the humanity of Jesus. Jesus was fully human and even though he was God he thought and expressed himself often as a human. And this is an example. Undoubtedly He was amazed that people who had already seen or heard directly from those that had seen Jesus remained unbelieving. He must have realized that nothing he says will be good enough. This is the tragedy in life often, that people are sometimes so set in their ways that change or seeing something differently is not possible. We become conditioned to think and believe a certain way. And so this is Jesus' response. There was a stark difference in people for the healing he had previously performed were coming from people that did believe in him. Where these Pharisees clearly did not believe.
Summary: Jesus, even after all he has done, still receives words of unbelief from so many. And this reminds us that some people have a stubborn spirit and will only change as the Lord softens their hearts. Jesus here is in the town of Dalmanuthu, in the area of Galilee and this reading has the Pharisees questioning him, again.
Promise: Nothing we can do or say can convince those that have hardened their hearts to believe in Christ. Only God can overcome it.
Prayer: Lord, soften hearts. My heart breaks for people to not be convinced of you. My heart breaks when people think their physical needs must be met first. Lord, you have healed us eternally and have saved us today, tomorrow, and for all time. Lord, for those that do not follow you, I pray that their hearts would be softened by You God. I continue to pray Ezekiel 36:26 for many - I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Thursday, May 3, 2018
Mark 8:1-10 - Feeding Four Thousand
Mark 8:1-10
1 In those days, when there was again a large crowd and they had nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples and *said to them, 2 “I feel compassion for the people because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way; and some of them have come from a great distance.” 4 And His disciples answered Him, “Where will anyone be able to find enough bread here in this desolate place to satisfy these people?” 5 And He was asking them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven.” 6 And He *directed the people to sit down on the ground; and taking the seven loaves, He gave thanks and broke them, and started giving them to His disciples to serve to them, and they served them to the people. 7 They also had a few small fish; and after He had blessed them, He ordered these to be served as well. 8 And they ate and were satisfied; and they picked up seven large baskets full of what was left over of the broken pieces. 9 About four thousand were there; and He sent them away. 10 And immediately He entered the boat with His disciples and came to the district of Dalmanutha.
Message: Feeding Four Thousand
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
Preface: Jesus, after spending time in Tyre and Sidon and Decapolis area, it seems, trying to get away for a bit, also spent time healing a demon possessed daughter and a blind man. Prior to this Jesus was emphasizing to his disciples and even the scribes the focus on the heart of man, as the Pharisees continued to emphasize the outward works. Jesus is really concerned about the heart.
Yet, people still have needs. This story of the feeding of four thousand reads easy. It is a simple story of people in need and Jesus meeting that need. Like the previous story of the feeding of 5,000, the people impacted are a large group of Gentiles, on the road for days, only to see Jesus. Chances are, though it is not recorded in scripture, Jesus spent time with these travelers, speaking to them, perhaps even healing people in various ways. In essence this was a retreat for many, to go see Jesus and see who this man is and what he is about. Rather than sending them away hungry, he takes what food he has and provides it to them.
They ate and were satisfied - thus, they received what they needed to now make their journey home. And they picked up seven large baskets full of what was left over of the broken pieces. People were famished and yet there was still food left over. Another interesting note is that four thousand were there. Previously, when Jesus fed five thousand, those 5,000 mentioned were men, which meant there were probably closer to 15,000 or more with families. Yet, here 4,000 are mentioned. The other sad part of this story is how slowly the disciples are learning about Jesus and what he can do. His disciples answered Him, “Where will anyone be able to find enough bread here in this desolate place to satisfy these people?” Jesus has already fed and done so many other things for the disciples to see the power that he has and yet they still don't see it.
I think it is interesting here that Jesus doesn't seem make something happen out of thin air, but he uses commodities already present, but multiplies their use. In a similar way, Jesus uses us, his followers and works through us in an amazing way.
Summary: Jesus, after spending time with many people, who have come from far away to see Him, takes care of their need to eat, using what has been provided, multiplying it for what everyone needs. He then leaves, with the disciples on a boat to the district of Dalmanutha.
Promise: From Tabletalk - Sometimes we find ourselves doubting the Lord’s concern for us and His ability to meet our needs. If we were to remember what He has done for us, particularly in rescuing us from sin when we were hopelessly lost, we would find ourselves more apt to trust that He will provide. Think on what the Lord has done for you, and trust that He will come through again because He loves you.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for this message that reminds me that you work through what has been provided, but in a mightier way that it appears. You God are there for us and provide us what we need at all times. You take care of us. I thank You and Praise your name. Help us to get out of the way and let you work.
1 In those days, when there was again a large crowd and they had nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples and *said to them, 2 “I feel compassion for the people because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way; and some of them have come from a great distance.” 4 And His disciples answered Him, “Where will anyone be able to find enough bread here in this desolate place to satisfy these people?” 5 And He was asking them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven.” 6 And He *directed the people to sit down on the ground; and taking the seven loaves, He gave thanks and broke them, and started giving them to His disciples to serve to them, and they served them to the people. 7 They also had a few small fish; and after He had blessed them, He ordered these to be served as well. 8 And they ate and were satisfied; and they picked up seven large baskets full of what was left over of the broken pieces. 9 About four thousand were there; and He sent them away. 10 And immediately He entered the boat with His disciples and came to the district of Dalmanutha.
Message: Feeding Four Thousand
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
Preface: Jesus, after spending time in Tyre and Sidon and Decapolis area, it seems, trying to get away for a bit, also spent time healing a demon possessed daughter and a blind man. Prior to this Jesus was emphasizing to his disciples and even the scribes the focus on the heart of man, as the Pharisees continued to emphasize the outward works. Jesus is really concerned about the heart.
Yet, people still have needs. This story of the feeding of four thousand reads easy. It is a simple story of people in need and Jesus meeting that need. Like the previous story of the feeding of 5,000, the people impacted are a large group of Gentiles, on the road for days, only to see Jesus. Chances are, though it is not recorded in scripture, Jesus spent time with these travelers, speaking to them, perhaps even healing people in various ways. In essence this was a retreat for many, to go see Jesus and see who this man is and what he is about. Rather than sending them away hungry, he takes what food he has and provides it to them.
They ate and were satisfied - thus, they received what they needed to now make their journey home. And they picked up seven large baskets full of what was left over of the broken pieces. People were famished and yet there was still food left over. Another interesting note is that four thousand were there. Previously, when Jesus fed five thousand, those 5,000 mentioned were men, which meant there were probably closer to 15,000 or more with families. Yet, here 4,000 are mentioned. The other sad part of this story is how slowly the disciples are learning about Jesus and what he can do. His disciples answered Him, “Where will anyone be able to find enough bread here in this desolate place to satisfy these people?” Jesus has already fed and done so many other things for the disciples to see the power that he has and yet they still don't see it.
I think it is interesting here that Jesus doesn't seem make something happen out of thin air, but he uses commodities already present, but multiplies their use. In a similar way, Jesus uses us, his followers and works through us in an amazing way.
Summary: Jesus, after spending time with many people, who have come from far away to see Him, takes care of their need to eat, using what has been provided, multiplying it for what everyone needs. He then leaves, with the disciples on a boat to the district of Dalmanutha.
Promise: From Tabletalk - Sometimes we find ourselves doubting the Lord’s concern for us and His ability to meet our needs. If we were to remember what He has done for us, particularly in rescuing us from sin when we were hopelessly lost, we would find ourselves more apt to trust that He will provide. Think on what the Lord has done for you, and trust that He will come through again because He loves you.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for this message that reminds me that you work through what has been provided, but in a mightier way that it appears. You God are there for us and provide us what we need at all times. You take care of us. I thank You and Praise your name. Help us to get out of the way and let you work.
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