Oh Lest We Forget...

Mark 8

In Mark 8, we see so much that has gone wrong, so much misunderstanding, little faith and trust, and wayward thinking. Warren Wiersbe calls it the defective chapter, with the exposition of “defective faith, understanding, sight, and devotion.”

The disciples didn’t know what to do with the hungry crowd, yet they had seen Jesus feed the five thousand, just days before; two chapters to be exact. They apparently soon forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel. They soon forgot the great power Jesus exhibited by an answered prayer to the Father and blessing over one kid’s small lunch of 5 loaves and 2 fish. They forgot the 12 Baskets remaining after the filling feast of the 5,000.

Oh, lest we forget that Our God is exceedingly faithful in all things. Each work that He does should encourage us to trust Him more to help us solve and endure the next problem and testify to His greatness. Wiersbe reminds us in his preaching and devotion that we need to “keep a long memory for His mercies and a short one for our failures.”

“And they had a few small fish. And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them. 8 And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. 9 And there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away. Mark 8:7–9 (ESV)

While in the boat following the feeding of the 4000, the disciples remembered that they forgot to bring bread, only possessing one loaf for the 12. Jesus began to teach on the leavened loaf.

“And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” Mark 8:15 (ESV)

The disciples did not perceive what He meant by the leaven. The blindness of the Pharisees does not surprise us, but why were His followers so blind? It’s often why we are blinded. Like Israel of old, the disciples saw His acts, but did not understand His ways.

Today, we are more interested in the signs, miracles, answers to prayers, and removal of difficulty; than we are understanding, trusting, and obeying. If God does not answer the way it seems as we read the Bible, we, meaning culture, begins to question His love, power, and even existence. We need to ask God to give us spiritual insight, wisdom, understanding, a growing faith, patience, and strength to pursue in our difficulties with courage to rely specifically on Him.

In Bethsaida, north of Galilee, Jesus healed a blind man; first enabling him to see people who looked “like trees walking around,” then restoring his sight completely. This is the only recorded miracle of Christ that took place in two stages—though Creation, another miracle in which Christ participated, took place in stages as well. This is also the only miracle found exclusively in Mark.

Sometimes we, like the blind man, need a second touch by Jesus to see things from his perspective.

Finally, in Mark 8, we see that one minute, Peter is inspired from heaven; and the next minute, his tongue is ignited from hell.

“And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” 30 And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.” Mark 8:27–30 (ESV)

“And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Mark 8:31-33 (ESV)

“And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.” James 3:6 (ESV)

Peter saw only shame in the Cross, but Jesus saw glory. Peter saw defeat, but Jesus saw great victory.

“And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:34-38(ESV)

Today, remember the amazing power of our Savior Jesus and seek to understand His Will and Ways. Set out on a consistent path and plan to grow in faith and obey Him by His Word. Always expect Him to hear and act upon your request in accordance with His Will and His Word, in His timing, and in your best interest.

Finally, never be afraid or ashamed to be His disciple and bear your cross, for Jesus bore it first.

Are you seeking after Jesus despite the direction of this defective world, its defective thoughts, and its defective actions? Where do you need Him to help you live, stand, and proclaim Him and His saving, healing, and restoring power, love, and grace? Where is it that you need to trust In Jesus more?

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