Watch Out (2)
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Introduction
Introduction
This morning we are continuing the series that we’ve been calling “Jesus the Suffering Servant.” In this series we have been going through the book of Mark. Today, we pick up our story in the eighth chapter. This is a “WATCH OUT!” message!
It seems like everywhere we look people are sounding the alarm. Over the past two years, the biggest alarms have been about COVID-19. Even today, there are warnings about the infection rates and the dangers of the new variants. Cries to get vaccinated, and warning to wear masks, maintain social distance, and isolate.
Today, there are other warnings! Warnings about Global Warming and Climate Change; about animals going extinct at an alarming rate. Warnings and fear of race relation problems and social unrest. If these were not enough, there is the political warnings that seem like they are sounding EVERY day, and it doesn’t matter which side of the political fence you’re on. Warning, after warning! Warnings all around us. No matter where we turn there are warnings!
God’s Word also has warnings! Jesus gave His disciples a pretty stern warning in our passage today, and it is a warning that we need to hear.
If you have your Bibles, I want to encourage you to turn with me to Mark chapter 8.
During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said,
The Large Crowds Continue
The Large Crowds Continue
The Crowd
The Crowd
There’s another large crowd.
Once again the people have nothing to eat.
“I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.”
The people had been there for THREE days! I wonder how Jesus and His disciples felt—ministering non-stop for three days.
Jesus was worried about the people, because they had nothing to eat. They had a physical need—and Jesus was concerned enough to meet that need!
Jesus wanted His disciples to meet the need (by inference).
Say What?
Say What?
The disciples know what Jesus is asking, but they don’t see any way they can meet the need. Look at verse 4.
His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?”
Jesus begins to ask them about the previsions that they do have.
“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied.
We find out that they have seven loaves—roll size—or small loaf. Down in verse 7 we find out that they had “a few small fish.” But in the eyes of the disciples these resources are not enough to meet the needs of so many people.
But look what happens next!
He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people, and they did so. They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. About four thousand men were present. And having sent them away, he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.
Amazing! This time Jesus feeds 4,000 men. Some have suggested that this is a repeat of Mark chapter 6. However, most scholars recognize that there are enough differences between the two events that Jesus probably fed two different crowds at two different times. One big difference is in the size of the basketfuls of leftovers. These baskets were the big rope baskets—the kind the fishermen used to carry their catch from the boat to where they would sell them. They were big enough that a man could climb inside one. They weren’t the small baskets, that held a couple of gallons, that were used the first time.
Now Jesus has been in the region of “Ten Cities” or the “Decapolis.” Now, after sending the crowds away, Jesus and His disciples get into a boat and go back across the Sea of Galilee to the region of Dalmanutha. Most scholars believe that this area was the same as the region of Magadan.
The Pharisees
The Pharisees
As soon as they land, the Pharisees—religious teachers—come and begin challenging Jesus. They want a sign!
The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven.
They want a sign from heaven. In other words, they want Jesus to “prove” His claims. They want Jesus to prove He is the Messiah. To prove that He is YHWH. I love Jesus’ response!
He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it.”
Jesus refuses to prove His identity. But think about it, everything He has done has proved His claims! The truth is every miracle that Jesus did proved that He was the Messiah! In fact, the reality is that Jesus is the miraculous sign!
Back in the Boat!
Back in the Boat!
Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side.
Leaving by boat did two things for Jesus. First, it stopped any further discussion. The Pharisees couldn’t simply walk along with Him and keep the challenge going.
Secondly, it was a faster, and more relaxing way to get to a new location around the Sea of Galilee.
Now , in verse 14, we get an interesting tidbit of information.
The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat.
Jesus and His disciples got back in the boat and headed to the other side so quickly, that the disciples didn’t pack everything up and get it all to the boat. Now, while they are sailing along, Jesus begins to talk to them.
“Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”
Now remember, the disciples forgot the big baskets of bread. So, they are focused on the mistake that they made! But Jesus is talking about much more!
They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.”
So Jesus is going to redirect their focus back onto His subject matter. Look at verse 17.
Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” “Twelve,” they replied. “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven.” He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”
Jesus didn’t need them to do anything!
He fed 5000+ and they picked up 12 two gallon stiff basketfuls of leftovers.
He fed 4000+ and they picked up 7 large rope basketfuls of leftovers.
There’s no way Jesus was talking about them leaving the baskets back on the shore—so what was he talking about?
Jesus is upset that they are not understanding the truth of His identity any better than the Pharisees understood. How could they have been with Him so long, and still not understood Jesus’ true identity? How could they have been with Him, and seen all the miracles that He had done and not understand His message?
The disciples repeatedly did not understand Jesus’ miracles, or His teachings. So far, Mark has told us these men have said: “What is this new teaching?” (1:27); “We have never sen anything like this!” (2:15); “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (4:41); “They were completely amazed.” (6:51); “They asked him about the parable. . .” (7:17)—and now here in chapter 8 it never crosses their mind that Jesus could feed 4000 men with just a seven small loaves and a few small fish (even though He had done it before!).
Even after seeing all that Jesus has done the disciples are still not accepting His true identity. That’s why He asks them, “Do you still not understand?”
SO WHAT?
SO WHAT?
What about us? We can look at the Bible and see all that God has done through the ages. We can look at he Gospels and see all that Jesus did while here on this earth. I can even look and see all that the Lord has done in my life! And often I still don’t understand!
When trials and struggles come, I often don’t understand. I ask questions like, “Why me, Lord?” “What are you doing, Lord?” “How long, Lord?” and sometimes I find myself saying, “No Lord! Please No!”
Then there are times when I react just like the disciples—and I wonder, “Who is this God that He can do whatever He wants to do?”
This morning, I want each one of us to examine our lives. What is Jesus asking you to do for Him? Are you arguing with Him? Telling Him that He’s asking for too much?
What miracles does He want to do in your life? Physical healing? Emotional healing? Freeing you from the grip of the enemy? Or freeing you from some kind of addiction?
What is it Jesus wants to do in you? Through you? To you? Can you see what Jesus is saying? If you can, the question is will you let Him? Will you join with Him and experience His working in you?
[PRAYER]
This morning we gather together to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. It is fitting that we remember the Lord’s sacrifice today as we are asking the question of what Jesus wants to do in us, through us, and to us. Because this morning we want to look back and see all that Jesus has done for us.
First, in salvation—He gave us salvation—putting us into a right relationship with God the Father.
Secondly, in life—He has given us a full life in Himself.
We want to remember all that He has done as we celebrate The Lord’s Supper.