Category: Uncategorized

Mark 8:22
It’s possible that there were two places called Bethsaida. Anyway, the blind man is brought to Christ most likely by the inhabitants of the place. Although this may refer to the disciples, who the inhabitants would have brought the man to. That it was the locals is more likely, since they beg Jesus to heal the man. The disciples would have been more direct.

Heavenly Father, thank you for listening to our prayers. Sometimes we just sound pretty funny to you, but you listen anyhow. That you even care to hear what we need is truly amazing. You are so good and faithful! Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 8:21
Open-ended questions can be very effective, and this one is no exception. We don’t have the disciples response to this question, but we can imagine that it’s probably about like ours would be. Likely as not, they tried to avoid answering altogether.
But, what is the answer, why would they still not understand the Lord’s words? What is it that keeps us from coming to a place of understanding in relation to God’s truth? The answer is that sin slows our senses. It keeps us from considering a lot of the little things that we would otherwise notice each and every day. It keeps us from assimilating spiritual truths from the mouth of God. Both natural and special revelation do not reach us as they should when our hearts are full of sin.

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us forgiveness in the Lord Jesus Christ! Otherwise, we would not be able to see your truth all around us, both in your Word and in your world. Our relationship with you is absolutely vital to our understanding of your truth. Thank you for giving us the ability through the shed blood of Christ, to live a life close to you, our Almighty God. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 8:20
There have been those who have attempted to make the two feedings one. They say the accounts are confused a bit and there was really only one. This passage completely destroys that theory. Jesus’ words here make it abundantly clear that there were indeed two feedings.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your faithfulness! You have always been what you have always been. You don’t tire, falter, fail, quit, or let up. Your faithfulness is just as full and wonderful as it has ever been. His could we sing your praises enough? You are so great! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 8:19
Why did he ask them about the fragments? Well, this gives us yet another reason why there were leftovers that the Lord had them gather. It served as an evidence to the disciples that this miracle had produced more than enough to supply the needs of the crowd.
And why would that matter? It is a wonderful illustration of the operation of the grace of God. He supplies more than enough grace to meet our every need in Christ. Remembering this should have caused the disciples to be certain that Jesus would take care of them in spite of a food shortage.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your reminders. You know that we can always use a reminder of your fathomless grace. We can never know just how much you are willing to give, you have done so much for us already. Your grace is amazing, glorious, and limitless! We will sing the wonders of your grace for all of eternity. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

No post today, went to revival at Calvary Baptist Church in Dayton.

Mark 8:18
Jesus continues and asks his disciples some of the same questions he had asked the unbelieving Jews. He is saying that anyone with eyes and ears was inexcusable if they had missed the facts. The disciples had seen the truth with their own eyes. They had watched as Jesus multiplied the bread. The had seen him do countless miracles. They had heard his teaching and listened as he spoke to each of them on various occasions. They were right there in the middle of everything, so to speak.
He asks them also if they remembered. We often tend to have a very selective memory. We remember what makes sense to us, what fits in our grid. But, the things that we don’t really process fully get pushed out to the edges and forgotten.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for our selective memory and slow understanding! Your truth is wonderful and we are blessed to have it. You have given us all we need for this life, and life to come. You are gracious and loving to us. It is a glory to you that you have done so much for us. Your love matches your holiness. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 8:17
Jesus really gives us a lot in this verse. The key, though, is to see the progression in the thoughts. The callused heart is where we should begin. Jesus asked the first two parts and throws this to the end to give it emphasis.
So, the first step to the place of understanding that Jesus wanted is the breaking down of a callused heart. A callus is difficult to remedy, and often takes time. This is why Jesus includes a time element in his question. He knew it would take time to break down their hardened hearts, but is emphasizing the fact that he would expect that to be accomplished by now.
After the break down of the callus, perception can begin to develop. This is a wisdom in the person based on lessons from the Source of truth. It will grow as truth pours into the soul. Yet, the disciples had not reached this point.
The final step is the idea of understanding. This means that perception meets reality and begins to piece together truth based on what is known and perceived. This is where spiritual learning and maturity gets started. And, this is where Jesus wanted his disciples to be in thier process of growth.
So, Jesus is not only expressing his disappointment, but also he is outlining the path to progress. Spiritual success is the desire of Christ for each and every one of us.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your instruction found in your Word. We can never say that we have not heard the truth. The Bible exposes us to the raw facts of reality. Our understanding of the world as we would naturally perceive it is challenged with a broader, richer picture. May we never settle for man’s suppositions when we can have God’s record. Your wisdom is so valuable! We could never compare it with anything. Your truth brings to us understanding that helps with all that we need ever know. Thank you for your truth! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 8:16
The word ‘reasoned’ here gives us a picture of what went on in the boat. Rather than just asking Jesus what he meant, the disciples started talking among themselves, trying to figure it out. Of course, they tried to keep the discussion to themselves.
Finally they came to the conclusion that Jesus was rebuking then for not bringing any bread. This is an amazing example of human error. The disciples forgot Jesus knew everything they thought. They forgot that Jesus was fond of using illustrations to teach them. And, they forgot that Jesus could easily make more bread if needed. Yes, that’s a lot of forgetting, but that’s how we are!

Heavenly Father, thank you for your patience with us! We can really forget you are the Almighty. We forget you know everything. We forget that you know us better than we know ourselves. We forget that you love us. But we must remember, for you at worthy to be praised for all of these things. All praise to you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 8:15
It is amazing how personable Jesus is! Here is the Sovereign Lord of heaven and earth really sharing his heart with these men, several of whom were not very educated or spiritual at this point. It says here that he charged them. In other words, this was important to him, and he wanted them to understand that.
Jesus was tempted, as Scripture tells us. He did not enjoy the interchange with the Pharisees, and their hypocrisy upset him. He is instructing them, but this lesson is directly related to what he had just been through with these self-righteous characters.
Leaven is a symbol of sin in the Bible. Jesus is warning the disciples that Herod and the Pharisees were tricky and couldn’t be trusted. They might appear to be honest and earnest, but they were really a pack of wolves.
Jesus is doing this not only to help his followers avoid false doctrine, but also so that they would be able to cope with the emotional struggles connected with the ministry. Dealing with opponents like these can be very draining, as the Lord himself experienced. The apostles, as they would be, must be wary of this type of fatigue in thier ministries.

Heavenly Father, thank you for understanding our needs so well! Thank you for giving us a resource in your Holy Word. Thank you for giving us an example in the Lord Jesus Christ. Not only has he saved our souls by his shed blood on Calvary, but also he has given his ministers an example to follow. We see that we are not to commit ourselves to men, but to you. All men should be liars and you alone should be True as the Scripture says. Our strength must flow from Christ, and He is our Source. All glory belongs to him, and not to man. May we rely on Christ for our strength, and may we praise Him forever! Jesus is our glorious Lord and he leads us on as our Hope. Your blessed Holy Spirit gives us the ability to move on in spite of these fatiguing things in the ministry. You have given us all that we need. May we praise you forever for your glorious wisdom and great kindness! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 8:14
Why didn’t the disciples have any food? They took up a good amount of leftovers from the feeding of the four thousand. Wouldn’t they have some left? Well, as I have already said, we need not assume that very little time had passed since that feeding. And, more than that, the disciples most likely dispersed the leftover food to those who were preparing to go home on that occasion. As Jesus had said, many of them had traveled far to hear him.
So, the disciples found themselves in the boat with Jesus poorly prepared for future meals. This kind of thing had probably happened before, and would likely happen again. Mark is only telling us about it because of what will follow. The situation itself wasn’t really a big deal, since they could easily buy food once they reached their destination.

Heavenly Father, you understand our needs so much better than we do! Thank you for caring for us even though we try so much to care for ourselves. As you know we tend to worry today about tomorrow. But, tomorrow is in your hand. You know what our future holds. I will trust you, because you have all of my tomorrows in your plan. You are the God of the future, the Lord of the past, and the Master of today. I will praise you for all time, and after time has ceased. Thank you for your Sovereign watchcare! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.