Day #66: March 7, 2009 - Mark 8:10-26

I made a mistake. I got one day ahead of myself yesterday. So today's blog is for yesterday's reading and yesterday's blog was for today's reading. Does that make sense? Kinda sounds likes who's on first?

Today, we read and see that Jesus had been able to escape the probing Pharisees for a while as he visited in Gentile areas. But the Pharisees weren’t going to give up in their relentless attempts to discredit Jesus before the crowds. So they constantly demanded “proof”— even more than they had already seen.

The Pharisees were asking for a sign to back up Jesus’ claims and miracles. Perhaps they regarded his other miracles merely as random occurrences. Using the principle from Deuteronomy 13:1-3 and 18:18-22, the Pharisees were trying to draw Jesus into a trap. If he could not produce a sign, they could accuse him of being a false prophet. They had already seen and heard about many miracles, but that was not enough for them.

They chose to reject Jesus. They would not believe in him for they had already chosen not to believe in him. But, Jesus did not come to earth to convince people to come to him by performing wonders; he came inviting people to come to him in faith, and as a response to their faith, he performed great miracles. But for these self-righteous religious leaders there was little hope.

Jesus had left his confrontation with the Pharisees abruptly, and the disciples went along with him. Apparently, at some point out on the sea, they realized that they had forgotten to bring any food. As the disciples were worrying about bread, Jesus used the opportunity to teach of the danger of the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod. Yeast is a key ingredient in bread, for it causes the dough to rise. “Yeast” in this passage symbolizes evil. Just as only a small amount of yeast is needed to make a batch of bread rise, so the evil teachings and hypocrisy of the religious and political leaders could permeate and contaminate the entire society. Jesus used yeast as an example of how a small amount of evil can affect a large group of people.

Jesus quizzed the disciples over their lack of perception. His question, “Don’t you understand even yet?” was more of an appeal. The disciples needed to understand, and after all they had seen and heard, they should have reached the obvious conclusion that Jesus was their Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus and the disciples went back across the sea to Bethsaida. The miracle recorded in this section was recorded only by Mark and is a fitting story following the account of the disciples’ persistent spiritual blindness. Upon Jesus’ arrival, some people brought a blind man and they begged Jesus to touch him.

Jesus led this blind man out of the village. It is uncertain why Jesus put saliva on the man’s eyes. We do know that spit was commonly recognized in these times as having healing properties. The Bible text also doesn’t explain why Jesus did the healing in two stages. It may have been because of the man’s lack of faith or to show that spiritual sight may be incomplete but can be restored gradually and fully by faith. We do know that Jesus was not faltering in his power or daunted by the man’s blindness. He healed the man fully.

In response to Jesus’ touch and question, the man replied that he saw people (the disciples and the people who brought him), but they were blurry, like trees. Sight was there, but it was not complete. The disciples too had spiritual sight, but it was far from complete. Jesus had rebuked the disciples for their lack of sight, but there was hope for them, just as there would be complete healing for this man.

After Jesus touched the man a second time, the man’s sight was completely restored. Jesus told the blind man to return home, but not to go into village or tell anyone about what had happened. Obviously, people were going to find out, but Jesus did not want an immediate outpouring of sick people coming to him for healing. This gave Jesus time to move away from the area before the miracle was discovered. Jesus always had compassion on people in need, but he never lost sight of the fact that his mission was first and foremost the healing of people’s souls.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Lord, give me your eyes to see. See the needs around me. See Your big picture. See You hand at work. Lord, what I really need to today is a bigger faith. A larger trust. A more complete understanding of what you are doing. Lord, there are so many people hurting - we have to be a church that meets their needs. Build a church at COV where people are encouraged and challenged to be a part of Your mission. Build a church where people are broken over the needs of others. Build a church where people have a heart for those who don't know you.

"When Jesus looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. "What a huge harvest!" he said to his disciples. "How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!" Matthew 9:36-38 (MB)

And Lord, build and equip mature folks at COV. Folks who have insight and understanding of Your ways.

"LORD, teach me the way of your laws; I shall observe them with care. Give me insight to observe your teaching, to keep it with all my heart. Lead me in the path of your commands, for that is my delight. Direct my heart toward your decrees and away from unjust gain. Avert my eyes from what is worthless; by your way give me life." Psalm 119:33-37 (NAB)