Scripture:
Mark 8:11 The Pharisees came and began to argue with him (Jesus), seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him.12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”
Mark 8:13 And he left them.
….
Mark 8:17-18 Jesus said to the disciples, … “Do you not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember?
….
Mark 8:25 Jesus laid hands on (the blind man’s) eyes again, and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw clearly.
Mark 8:29 (Jesus) asked them, “Who do you say that I am? Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.”
Observation:
Jesus is making his way from town to town with the disciples preaching and performing many signs and wonders. People are flocking to him. Jesus had compassion for their needs, be they physical healing or even hunger.
The Pharisees, however, only expressed a need for power. They wanted to test Jesus.
Jesus sighs and moves on from such testing.
Jesus questions the disciples to prompt their hearts and minds to start responding correctly to who he is.
After yet one more miracle, Peter finally gets it!
“You are the Christ!”
Application:
Jesus is a compassionate God.
He cares for me and my needs.
He will be patient with me.
He will understand my lack of understanding.
He will encourage me in my seeking to see and hear.
He will prompt me to live in faith by asking me to remember who he is.
Why? Because he knows my greatest need, to know he is the Christ!
He will not, however, be tested.
He will not have demands put upon him.
He will not allow my own purposes to interfere with his purposes and his mission.
Prayer:
God, thank you for your compassion.
Thank you that you want healing and restoration.
Thank you especially that you want to be known.
Thank you for opening eyes to see you and know you!
Forgive me when I cause you to sigh.
When I seek my own agenda and purpose, when I am tempted to test you or demand signs from you, remind me that you are lord!
Encourage and empower me to love others today the way you love me.
Amen.