Mark 8

Second miracle feeding

Mark 8:2 I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:

In Mark six, Jesus fed the five thousand who were with him the first night. Now, after three days of continuing with Jesus, he feeds another large group. This following the opening of the deaf mans ears and loosening his tongue.

What other thing would happen after three days? The resurrection of Jesus from the grave and the message of the new covenant. At first, Jesus the bread of life spoke of repentance and the coming kingdom. After the third day and the resurrection from the grave, the message was to be, forgiveness of sins, and new life through His shed blood and resurrection. The old testament law requirements passed away and the new way by faith in Jesus and his shed blood was brought forth.

Gal 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Gal 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Mark 8:3 And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.

He had compassion on the living who hungered, especially those who hungered for the word of life.

Mark 8:4 And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?

Can you believe that they did not know the answer? Especially after seeing the feeding of the five thousand? Perhaps, it was because Jesus often performed miracles in new ways? He would repeat this miracle the same way. We are to go to Jesus and ask him for our daily bread. He is our intercessor to the Father.

Mark 8:5 And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven.
Mark 8:6 And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people.
Mark 8:7 And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them.
Mark 8:8 So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets.

They began with seven loaves and had enough left over to fill seven baskets. Seven represents Jesus Christ and rest. He is the fulfilment of God's requirement for eternal life and he is our rest. We no longer must work to gain God's favor, we trust in Jesus through faith.

Mark 8:9 And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.

No sign for unbelief

Mark 8:10 And straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha.

Dalmanutha is a town on the west side of the Sea of Galilee, near Magdala. Mary of Magdalene, from whom he cast out seven demons, would become one of his most faithful followers.

Mark 8:11 And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.

Everyone knew of Jesus, his power from heaven. Still, as always there were the supposed religious people who did not believe in him. In every generation and today, people of self willed power, use their religion to condemn those who follow Jesus. They would not accept Jesus, they do not see him as from God. They do not see the evidence, they mockingly seek proof.

Luke 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Luke 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Mat 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

It is by faith in Jesus that we enter his Kingdom.

Mark 8:12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.

Mat 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
Mat 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Mark 8:13 And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side.

He left them who would not believe. Jesus stays with those who believe, for after he returned to the Father he gave us the Holy Spirit, our comforter. Jesus is always close to those who have faith in Him.

Still not with understanding

Mark 8:15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.

Speaking of bread? Leaven permeates the entire loaf, causing the bread to puff up. Sin causes people to puff up too. A little can contaminate others. Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of Herod, the world ruler. Beware of the thoughts and ideas of the world, give all to the Lord and follow him.

Mark 8:16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread.

No, they see as men, not in the spirit. They must learn that Jesus usually has a deeper meaning in his words, a spiritual meaning and they must seek his mind.

Mark 8:17 And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?
Mark 8:18 Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?

Jesus was upset with them. Why did not even his closest followers yet see, nor hear, nor understand? Truth is, many do not like to speak of spiritual things...talking religion, they might say. Many are offended when we speak of spiritual things.

Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Mark 8:19 When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.
Mark 8:20 And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.
Mark 8:21 And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?

Addressing their observation that there was no bread, Jesus seemed upset with their lack of faith. Had they so soon forgotten the two miracle feedings? This was Spiritual power and truth that God is able to provide. Why do they and we not get it? Why are we so lacking in faith, so spiritually blind?

Two part healing

Mark 8:22 And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.

Friends interceded for the blind man. We are to intercede for those who cannot help themselves.

Mark 8:23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.

Anyone else spitting and it would be an insult, but not with Jesus who was all good. His spit brought healing. A snake can spit venom to cause blindness; Jesus came to destroy the power of the old serpent.

Mark 8:24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.

Jesus healed in many ways. God is a creative God. The source of healing was God, Jesus being the Son of God. The man was not yet completely healed.

Mark 8:25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.

Jesus touched him again and he saw every man clearly. Sometimes Jesus heals in stages. We do not give up if we are not healed all at once, we do not lose hope.

Mark 8:26 And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.

Go to your house, it was not yet time to go out and witness for Jesus. It was not yet time for Jesus to go to the cross because of the envious religious rulers. It was not yet time to die for our sins.

Who is Jesus?

Mark 8:27 And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?

Jesus did not need the opinions of men, but to know Jesus as to who he is, one would have to know God. For Jesus did the very works of the Father.

John 10:37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
John 10:38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

Who do men say that I am?

Mark 8:28 And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.

John the Baptists introduced Jesus. They both ministered for a time preaching the kingdom of God and repentance. John was a great man, but Jesus is greater.

John spoke of Jesus:

John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

Jesus was more than Elias, Elijah, who was used of God to do great miracles. He was greater than the prophets who spoke God's word. Jesus is the living Word from heaven; God come into a human body. Emmanuel, God with man.

Mat 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Mark 8:29 And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.

Peter heard from God, thou art the Christ, the anointed one of God; the Messiah. They thought and expected the Messiah to come and to deliver Israel from corrupt leaders and to set up a new kingdom.

Mark 8:30 And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.

Tell no one, for the new covenant in his blood had not yet come. In time Jesus would deliver the kingdom of God, but for now it is within the heart of those redeemed, those who would believe in Jesus. Time would soon come when we would be commanded to proclaim the name of Jesus as our saviour; He is the way to the Father's kingdom. He is the Christ.

Two rocks and two churches

Peter had pleased the Lord Jesus and himself when he had said that Jesus is the Christ. Matthew tells us more:

Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

So far, none of his followers saw things spiritually, they only saw in the natural. This was a breakthrough, for Simon heard from God and was able to see spiritually. Jesus honored him with a name Peter, Petra, a small rock. The apostles would be living stones adding to the foundation of the new church that would be built on the solid rock, Jesus, the Son of God, the chief cornerstone. Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Jesus honored Simon with a name: Peter, Petros, a stone. The apostles would be living stones adding to the foundation of the new church that would be built on this rock, petra, a large stone, Jesus the solid rock, the chief cornerstone, the Son of God.

Was Peter the chief cornerstone? The rock that the church would be built on? The first pope? Hear his own words on this subject. He points to Jesus, not to himself, men fail, Jesus never failed.

1 Pet 2:3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
1 Pet 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
1 Pet 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
1 Pet 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

The church is not a building or an institution made by men, it is a spiritual church, built by Jesus.

Mat 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

A spiritual church and with Holy Spirit power, Jesus shall build his church. This spiritual church shall have power and dominion, through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

Mark 8:31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

Jesus speaks the gospel, the way the church shall be made; through the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Peter could save no one, Jesus is our rock and our salvation.

Mark 8:32 And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.

Peter who had professed Jesus as the Christ now rebukes the Christ using his natural man's thoughts. He did not see the spiritual purpose in all that would happen through Jesus.

Mark 8:33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

Wow, from a high place of honor, Peter the rock, to being called satan. Peter and we, as we see and do things as a natural man or woman, often do not the things that honor God. We must see things with spiritual eyes, to understand and honor God, who is a Spirit and our Father.

I suppose one could see from this story that there is a natural church, one made by men, buildings made by man that may not even be doing God's will, but being all pious and religious. The end is hell and man supposedly getting them out of hell by works etc.

Then there is the spiritual church, not made with man's hands, but of our Lord Jesus Christ. The spiritual church is by faith in Jesus and no other. The end is everlasting life with Jesus. He is our salvation and our rock, our redeemer. The spiritual church receives God's grace and is led by the Word and His Spirit.

Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

We know we are saved, for we trust in Jesus Christ, not in man and traditions.

Deny yourself

Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

After Peter's rebuke after the heart of a sinful man, Jesus said we must die to our flesh mind, deny ourselves, and take up our cross. We are to put our old nature on the cross with its natural way of seeing and thinking, and follow Jesus. We follow him today by following the Holy Spirit that he left for us.

Mark 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

You want your own way? You want a life as a sinner? That life shall perish; but if you give up your self-will, losing your life and serving the will of God, preaching the good news? You shall save your life, for eternity in Christ Jesus.

Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

You want all you can get of the things of this life? Give all to God and he will give you all you need that is good for you. You shall save your soul through faith in Jesus Christ.

Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Mark 8:37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Nothing can compare to eternal life and escaping hell.

So you want to be a person of the world at all costs? It may cost you your soul, don't do that. Do not be ashamed of Jesus in this life so that he will receive you in the next life. Flesh dies, the soul lives forever in heaven or in torment. This is the truth of God.

Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Jer 17:10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

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