Friends in Faith February 24, 2008

Mark Chapter The Feeding of the 4, The Pharisee’s Want a Sign The Dull The Blind See Peter Confesses About Christ The Cost of Discipleship

Mark 7:31 Again He went out from the region of Tyre, and came through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, within the region of Decapolis.

Based on Warren’s comments last week, who is Jesus now teaching?... The Gentiles (Greeks)

The Feeding of the 4,000 8:1 In those days, when there was again a large crowd and they had nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples and said to them, 2 “I feel compassion for the people because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat. Notice Mark says again, indicating this is a different time from the feeding of the 5,000 Why do you think the crowd is so large?... Probably because of the miracles and His teaching Who is concerned for their needs?... Jesus Let’s compare Mark 6 and the feeding of the 5000:

6:35 When it was already quite late, His disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and it is already quite late; 36 send them away so that they may go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” The disciples are concerned about the well being of the people in the first miracle feeding even though in verse 34 again it mentions that Jesus had compassion for them but… What is the difference in the compassion??? In 6:34 He has compassion for their spiritual well being and teaches them In 8:2 He has compassion for their physical well being and feeds them In both cases, does Jesus meet their needs?... YES!!!!!!!!

What is the main similarity you see in the two miracles relating to the spiritual teaching of the people?.... In chapter 6, His compassion leads to teaching In chapter 8, He has already been teaching for 3 days Note that in each case, He meets the spiritual needs first and the physical needs second!!! Should it be any different with us? Which need do you think He is the most concerned with?...

4 And His disciples answered Him, “Where will anyone be able to find enough bread here in this desolate place to satisfy these people?” Why didn’t the disciples remember the first feeding?.. Spiritual dullness!!!!! In 7:14, Jesus said “Here Me everyone and understand” this is a call from Jesus for spiritual hearing Notice how Mark lays this out: In chapter 6, He feeds the spiritual needs by teaching the people. Then, the physical needs by feeding the people. Followed by opening a deaf man’s ears in chapter 7. And then, a blind man in chapter 8 after yet another miraculous feeding of the multitude

Chapter 6 and 8, feeding miracles Chapter 7 healing of the deaf man Chapter 8 healing of the blind man Now, while all benefited from the teaching, feedings and some from specific healings, a good argument can be made that it is actually a symbolic preparation for the spiritual awaking of the disciples!!! Jesus, by example, patience, lovingkindness and understanding is slowly bringing them to the awakening that is pronounced by Peter in 8:29 See the progression? Why would we expect our sanctification to work any differently or any faster?

Spiritually Dull???? All of the commentators call the disciples spiritually dull because they just didn’t pick-up on the events surrounding Jesus – at least for a while Before we agree and likewise condemn, how many times is He trying to communicate with us and we are not understanding? Granted, they walked with Jesus – but at the same time, we enjoy the whole story all at once because we have the completed word!! They had to learn over 3 years, we have the whole thing right in our hands Question is, do we take advantage of it?????

5 And He was asking them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven.” 6 And He directed the people to sit down on the ground; and taking the seven loaves, He gave thanks and broke them, and started giving them to His disciples to serve to them, and they served them to the people. 7 They also had a few small fish; and after He had blessed them, He ordered these to be served as well. How many prayers?.. Note that with each course He prayed!

8 And they ate and were satisfied; and they picked up seven large baskets full of what was left over of the broken pieces. 9 About four thousand were there; and He sent them away. Were their needs met? Consider this, why were they hungry in the first place?.. Because they were intently seeking the kingdom of God FIRST, above all other things and literally forgot about food; Matt. 6:31-34: 31 “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32“For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

They sought the kingdom of God first… How intent are we to seek first the kingdom of God trusting that all other things will fall into place? Have any of us ever been so focused on our ministry or the study of God’s word that we forgot to eat for 3 days or how about for 1 day or for that matter even a few hours? These people were baby Christians some just a few hours old and their devotion to following Jesus puts most modern day believers to shame Let them be an example for all of us to: 1. Faithfully and intently follow Jesus 2. Depend on God to provide for us while we are following God’s will Speaking of provision, did the people ask to be fed, or did the disciples ask Jesus to feed them?.. Neither, Jesus saw the need and filled it accordingly! Will He do any less for us?

10 And immediately He entered the boat with His disciples and came to the district of Dalmanutha. Matthew tells us that this is in the area of Magdala We are now here

11-13 The Pharisee’s Want a Sign 11 The Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, to test Him. Another showdown Here comes the hit squad again seeking to trap, embarrass or trip-up Jesus The argument begins and this time they want proof!!! Note: “to test Him” G3985 (Strong’s #) peirazo ̄ pi-rad'-zo From G3984; to test (objectively), that is, endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline: —assay,G3984 examine, go about, prove, tempt (-er), try Note the word “tempt” that is actually Satan’s goal through the Pharisees, to tempt Jesus

Matthew’s Account 16:1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 But He replied to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3 “And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times? 4 “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah.” And He left them and went away.

12 Sighing deeply in His spirit, He said*, “Why does this generation seek for a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” Matthew helps to clarify why Jesus refuses the request – it isn’t faith based it is Satan based and designed to trap Him into using His power outside of God’s will Why the mention of “sighing deeply”?... He is rightfully disappointed after all, these are the spiritual leaders of the Jews! Does He get disappointed with us when we miss the signs??? Jesus is the sign, and they missed it, His resurrection is the ultimate sign, and they missed that as well His word and the guiding of the Holy Spirit are His signs today

John says: 7:17 “If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself. If they were actually doing God’s will, if they were believers in the first place, they would have clearly seen that Jesus is God

13 Leaving them, He again embarked and went away to the other side. Possibly somewhat in disgust and maybe in a bit of anger, Jesus has had enough and leaves the hombres’ in the dust as He departs with His disciples for another city

What do we take home? 1.Spiritual needs are a priority over other needs 2.Sanctification is a process – give it time 3.Remember past blessings, they will help with current ones 4.Seek the Kingdom of God first and other needs will be met 5.Look for signs in His word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit