DBG - October 20 - Mark 8-9

In this chapter Christ ministers around Galilee.

vs. 1-9 – This parallels Matthew 15:32-39.  The multitudes that had followed Christ had now been away from home for three days and run out of food.  Christ blesses seven loaves and a few small fish.  It is miraculously multiplied as the disciples pass it out, so that it is not only enough to feed the 4,000 people but it left seven baskets of leftovers.  Afterwords, He and the disciples depart for the western shore of Galilee near the town of Dalmanutha.

vs. 10-12 – This parallels Matthew 16:1-4.  The Pharisees tempt Christ by demanding a sign.  Doing so, He would have submitted to their authority.  They ignored the numerous signs already given.

vs. 13-21 – This parallels Matthew 16:5-12.  Christ warns the disciples against the doctrines of the Pharisees and the politics of Herod.  The disciples mistake this for a rebuke for forgetting to bring food.  Christ reprimands them for not having more faith that God could supply their needs, as illustrated in the feeding of 5,000 and the feeding of 4,000.

vs. 22-26 – Christ returns to Bethsaida, a city He rebuked in Matthew 11:21 for not having believed on Him after working many miracles there.  That is perhaps the reason Christ heals this man outside of the city.  This miracle is marked by it first being incomplete.  The first time Christ touched the man his sight was restored but very poorly.  Christ touches him again and his sight is made perfect.  Is this because Christ failed in healing him the first time?  Absolutely not!  I believe He was testing the man’s faith. 

vs. 27-30 – This parallels Matthew 16:13-20 and Luke 9:18-21.  Christ and the disciples north to the city of Caesarea Philippi.  There Christ asks them who people thought He was.  Various answers are given and then the question is pressed on them personally.  Peter speaks up and confessed that Christ is the Messiah.  Why does He tell them not to share it?  I think the reason is tied to what follows.  There is growing opposition against Christ as we are nearing the final Passover and the Crucifixion.

vs. 31-38 – This parallels Matthew 16:21-28 and Luke 9:22-27.  Christ begins to prepare the disciples for what is to come.  His mission was not to establish a kingdom on earth but instead a kingdom in heaven.  He came to save mankind from their sins, and that required His rejection and sacrifice.  Peter confronts Christ, not understanding Christ’s purpose.  He is rebuked for not trusting in Christ’s work.  Christ then warns them of the severity of what it truly means to be a follower of Christ.

In this chapter Christ is transfigured.

vs. 1-13 – This parallels Matthew 17:1-13 and Luke 9:28-36.  Christ takes the inner circle of disciples (Peter, James, and John) to a mountain apart from all others.  There they witness His Transfiguration and see Him in His glory as He speaks with Elijah and Moses.  Peter gets ahead of Himself and wishes the moment to not end by building homes for three glorified figures to stay in.  God the Father speaks audibly again, proclaiming His love for Christ.  Soon the miraculous setting fades back to normality.  Seeing Elijah and Moses prompts a question about the resurrection of the dead and the promise that Elijah would return before Messiah’s appearance.  Christ tells them that John the Baptist had fulfilled that role as he came in the spirit of Elijah.

vs. 14-29 – This parallels Matthew 17:14-21 and Luke 9:37-42.  Returning to the other nine disciples, Christ and His inner circle find them unable to heal a demon possessed man.  Christ rebukes the demon and it leaves the man.  Christ rebukes His disciples for not having enough faith. 

vs. 30-32 – This parallels Matthew 17:22-23 and Luke 9:43-45.  Christ continues His travels through Galilee.  He also continues to try to prepare the disciples for what is coming when they go to Jerusalem.

vs. 33-37 – This parallels Matthew 18:1-35 and Luke 9:46-48.  Despite Christ’s attempts to prepare and focus the disciples for the days ahead, they become distracted and argue among themselves.  They are anticipating the Millennial Kingdom of Christ and their place in it.  Christ uses a child as an object lesson to try to correct their views about greatness.  In God’s economy the greatest power is servant leadership.

vs. 38-41 – This parallels Luke 9:49-50.  John points out that others have been working miracles in Christ’s name but were not among the Twelve.  He took the initiative to rebuke them.  Christ instead rebukes him for not respecting the work done in His name.

vs. 42-50 – This parallels Matthew 9:42-50.  Christ again speaks of the importance of their work.  It is very serious business.  In Biblical language, to offend means to lay stumbling blocks or traps to hurt someone.  Christ warns against offending others and allowing sin to control us.  This is the strongest language Christ uses.  Leviticus 2:13 is the source of the of the command that burnt offerings should have salt.

I want to return to the healing of the blind man in Mark 8.  That miracle is so unique in that Christ healed the man twice.  First, to give him sight, though it was poor.  Second, to make the poor sight perfect.  Again, I think the man’s faith is being tested.  Would the man be satisfied by having sight even if it were poor?  No, he confessed it as such, and Christ gave him perfect sight.  Too often we settle for less than what God is able to do for us.  So many are satisfied with being saved that they do not grow further in grace.

Our hymn today is “Open My Eyes, That I May See,” which was written by Clara H. Scott in 1895.

Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready, my God, Thy will to see;
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!

Open my ears, that I may hear
Voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
And while the wave notes fall on my ear,
Ev'rything false will disappear.
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready, my God, Thy will to see.
Open my ears, illumine me,
Spirit divine!

Open my mouth, and let me bear
Gladly the warm truth ev'rywhere;
Open my heart, and let me prepare
Love with Thy children thus to share.
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready, my God, Thy will to see.
Open my heart, illumine me,
Spirit divine!