Bible Verse Synopsis 7-7-25
Mark 8:
Jesus had been followed by a vast multitude of people who had nothing physically to eat. They were starved, but the spiritual food they were receiving sustained them. Verse 2 says: “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with Me three days, have nothing to eat.” Jesus had Love for them that followed Him and in His compassion, He acted. He could not send them away for they wouldn’t be able to make the journey home with no physical strength. The Disciples had 7 loaves of bread and a few fishes. Christ multiplied this allotment of food to feed all four thousand men, did not say how many women and children as well. Jesus’s second act of multiplying foodstuffs for His followers. By His touch alone, was the nourishment of the people supplied. Do we not see the symbolism that is meant to be portrayed unto us? The food is little for the Spirit, yet through Christ that food is multiplied to fill us up for eternity. What little food does your spirit survive on? Is it the food of Christ?
I skipped over Verse 4 in that last grouping of verses to point it out: “And His Disciples answered Him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?” These men had already seen Jesus feed five thousand with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes. Now they doubt that He is able to do this again? This shows us the feeble, natural heart of mankind. We are not born with belief, it must be learned and internalized. Is your natural heart the heart that you show outwardly? Or has Christ entered your heart and transformed it to be like His?
Jesus left the people after feeding them and got into a ship with His Disciples. The Pharisees in parts of Dalmanutha came forth and began to question Him. In their questioning of the Great Creator, they asked for a sign from Heaven. Verse 12 says: “And He sighed deeply in His Spirit, and said, Why does this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.” Had the signs He had already given the world thus far not been enough for them? Is it also not enough for us? Jesus then leaves them and heads across the sea. He left them wanting. When confronted with an opportunity with Christ; alone in the yard, watching the stars, or laying in bed; do we ask for signs when we should relish the time with Him and ask for His instruction?
On their journey across the sea, Jesus and the Disciples had only one loaf of bread. Jesus warns them in Verse 15: And He charged them, saying, take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.” The Disciples did not understand what He was speaking of. They saw and heard only what they physically had, the one loaf. Jesus’s words seem frustrated that these men are not hearing Him correctly. Verses 17 & 18 portray this for us: “And when Jesus knew it, He said unto them, Why reason you, because you have no bread? Perceive you not yet, neither understand? Have you your heart yet hardened?” 18 - “Having eyes, see you not? And having ears, hear you not? And do you not remember?” Jesus then walks them through the feeding of the thousands, both cases. He ends in Verse 21: “And He said unto them, How is it that you do no understand?” He could ask the same question of all of us. The bread (doctrine) of man must we always be wary of. The bread of the Lord is bountiful if we know how to find it. Do you know where to look? Does Christ need to ask this question of you as well?
In Verses 22-26 Jesus heals another blind man. Yet the first time the healing is incomplete. Verse 26 gives us insight into why Jesus had to heal the man twice: “And He sent him away to his house saying, Neither go into the town, or tell it to any in the town.” It seems as though something about Bethsaida was blocking His power. Jesus had taken the blind man out of the town for the miracle. This is something amiss with this town. Yet, still Jesus came there. Even the evil and the heathens have access to Christ for He will go anywhere He is called. Do you call Christ always, or only in times of need?
On the way to Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked the Disciples who the people thought He was. They answered in a myriad of ways. Some say John the Baptist, or Elijah, and others a Prophet. Verse 29 says: “And He said unto them, But whom say you that I am? And Peter answered and said unto Him, You are the Christ.” Peter was the first to confess to the Christ directly that He was the Messiah. We are to follow His lead. Are you prepared to confess to Jesus that He is your Lord and Savior, the one and only Messiah?
In Verses 31, Jesus foretells His death and resurrection. He spoke openly about this and Peter rebuked Him. Why would Peter rebuke the Lord? Had he not just confess that Jesus was the Messiah? In Verses 33 Jesus reacts to this action: “But when He had turned about and looked on His Disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for you savor not the things that be of God, but things that be of men.” The natural heart of man and Satan’s influence over it was behind Peter’s words. Do we see the sacrilege here? Jesus teaches a great lesson to all the Disciples and to us here. Value the things of God, not of man. No parable, no mystery. Blunt and direct. Something we do not always get from the Word. This should highlight the importance of this statement by Jesus. Are we like Peter?
Jesus continues this lesson for the remainder of the chapter. It is all so easily quotable. I will highlight my favorites; Verse 36:”For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole word, and lose his own soul?” and Verse 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 comes in the Glory of His Father with the Holy Angels.” We have nothing to profit from on this earth that will get us to Heaven. The reward of this life is eternal life with Him. Without taking up our cross and following Him, we cannot receive this reward. Acting in accordance with His name and His Word, our lives shall be saved. If we fail, Jesus, in the second coming, will be ashamed of us. Are you ready to take up your cross? Or will you face the judgement of Christ when He comes again?