July 11, 2025
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Reading along with us in 1 Samuel and Mark? Here’s today’s reading:
Mark 8 (NIV)
Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand
1 During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 2“I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat.3If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.”…..Continue Reading
Why would a sign matter to the Pharisees when even His own disciples still struggled with faith after seeing all Jesus had done? He just fed 5000 and yet when He asked about food for the 4000 not one disciples said “you got this, you did it before and you can do it again” No wonder Jesus shows some genuine frustration in this chapter and not just from the testing of the Pharisees. Like we often do, the disciples and the the Phariseees were putting Jesus in a box of what their human minds thought possible. We must always remember His past faithfulness and realize the promise for His continued love and provision, but instead we get hung up on the current problem and think this one is too big. It boils down to the question He asked, “Who do WE think He is?” Do we really believe He the Savior of our lives and the one true God that can do ALL things and move ALL our mountains when we are walking WITH Him?
Jesus feeds the 4,000 with a few small fish and 7 loaves of bread. Actually, as mentioned in another passage, there were 4,000 men besides women and children. So, there was many more people than 4,000. Miracle is even greater. Jesus questions the disciples latter because they are now in the boat complaining that they have no bread. He reminds them of the 5,000 and 4,000 and what He did. Their lack of understanding and faith. So slow to get it just as we are many times. Then the Pharisees come to Jesus to tempt Him and ask for a sign. In Matthew 16:4 and Matthew 12:38-40 the sign that Jesus gives is Jonah. Also, the Son of man will rise after 3 days. After Peter`s confession of faith that Jesus is the Christ, Jesus explains to the disciples that He is going to die and rise the third day. Peter tries to rebuke Jesus and Jesus calls him Satan. Peter from great faith to trying to stop Jesus from dying. Still not getting it. For Christ had to die for our sins that we may be set free. And on the way, Jesus heals a blind man by spitting on his eyes and touching him twice. Perhaps testing the man`s faith. Jesus said to the people: {Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.} This is a challenge to all of us to follow Jesus with all our hearts. Me personally, I would rather have Jesus than anything. Just like the hymn that George Beverly Shea put to music. [ I`d Rather have Jesus.] God bless.
How hard it was to be Jesus. To have these 12 guys who have chosen to follow you and then just don’t get it. And then be pursued by objectors that are trying to trip you up at every turn. You would think the apostles would say when crowds were around and food was laking, this looks familiar. And the best thing you could say about the Pharisees is don’t think or be like them. Pride and legalism are insidious and will weave their way into our mindset and effect how we think about ourselves, God and others. But in the midst of all of it, Jesus is still teaching and healing. And you may be able to declare who I am, but are you willing to accept the path that I am on? My path is about a cross. And the way I have for you is about a cross too. It is only by virtue of Him dying that we will live. And it is only by virtue of us dying to self that we will live out the life that He has for us. It makes sense that we would lose our self will in order for God’s will to be done for us and through us.
Jesus sums up the cost of following him at the end of this chapter. To pick up your own cross and carry it every day, a picture of submission to God to do God‘s will always rather than leading a life of self satisfaction to stop trying to control our own destiny and let God direct our lives. As we spoke of Wednesday night to bring glory to God, no matter what that looks like.
Mark 8
“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”
Mark 8:36 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/mrk.8.36.NIV
People love to pursue the treasures of this world, but to what end?
1 Samuel 16; Mark 8; Romans 5-6
Mark 8
”He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.”“
Mark 8:29 NKJV
Mark 8 God wants us to make our relationship personal. It’s so.important to not look at a persons outward habits. God knows our hearts so he is not fooled by works.