The religious leaders knew Jesus’ message about the Kingdom of God was subversive. They didn’t want to believe Jesus because he had much to say about the abuse of their authority over the people. Asking for signs was their way of dismissing Jesus.
When Jesus warned his disciples about the ‘yeast’ of the religious leaders, the disciples didn’t get it. When Jesus reminds the disciples of feeding the 5,000 and the 4,000 he wasn’t challenging their lack of faith because they were grumbling about their present lack of food. He was challenging them to recognize that the religious leaders had an altogether different perspective of The Messiah.
The lack of vision by the disciples is followed by Jesus restoring the sight of the blind man. When will the disciples get their spiritual vision?
The yeast Jesus was warning the disciples to avoid is as much an issue in our time as it was when Jesus first issued the warning. We are surrounded by many different churches and Christian denominations, each having their own worldview and their own perspective of God’s purpose and mission in Jesus Christ. The yeast of the Pharisees in our time is a vision of Jesus and the Kingdom of God that is not consistent with the Messiah Mark is presenting in his Gospel. Can you tell the differences?
What word or phrase in these verses
attracts your attention?
Reflect on that word or phrase.
What insights come to you?
How does this passage touch your life today?
3-Nov-11 Mark 8:27-9:13
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