Mark 8,  Luke 9,  Matthew 16

Mark 8
I wonder if there were people in the crowd that day who had a little food with them, but didn't volunteer to share it with the disciples.   They probably would have, if they knew what was going to happen next.   And,  I wonder if they took some of the food that Jesus blessed, when they knew they had their own food hidden away.   Human nature being what it is, it could have happened.  I'm glad the Bible doesn't say.  That would be discouraging to know...better to suspect that the world was a blissful happy place while Jesus was teaching....

When Jesus rebukes Peter in verse 31 it helps us understand how satan is trying to invade our lives and affect our Christian walk.   Somehow satan has prevented Peter from seeing things with a heavenly perspective...maybe the next few verses offer another clue...Jesus says we need to "put away our selfish desires".   Maybe Peter was simply being selfish.  He wanted Jesus to stay with him, and not be captured by the leaders.    That would mean that Jesus is referring to Himself (and those who come after Him) when He says "if you try to hang onto your life, you'll lose it."  
If it's God's will for us to suffer, or even to die; then we must be obedient even to death.   Perhaps that isn't His calling for us, so much the better.   But if our desire for survival or comfort deter us from the mission God has given us, then we need to repent and get back on track.      The fact that it could be dangerous, or fatal isn't a good reason to not share the message, or live out our faith.

Luke 9
Jesus gives his power to whoever He chooses, and they are then capable to great things.   The same is true today.  God gives us ability, we don't earn it or deserve it.

The feeding of the 5,000 and the feeding of the 4,000 were two separate events, close together.

Jesus was praying when He was transfigured.  The disciples were asleep.  This wasn't the last time that the disciples would be sleeping when they should be praying.   I wonder how many times I have slept instead of praying...?    Crazy things happen when we pray.  Heaven visits earth when we pray.   When we pray, we pierce through the veil that separates this existence from the next, and our voices are heard in that wonderful place.   If we could only catch a glimpse of what really is happening, or what could be happening when we pray, I think we would pray far more.

The boy that is demon possessed is freed, but the disciples couldn't do it.   Jesus says in another place "this kind only comes out by prayer"

What follows to the end of the chapter are the recollections of Luke about the significant things Jesus said during that couple of days.  "be as innocent and trusting as children"  "don't oppose people who are not opposed to you"  "don't be vindictive" and "come with me, and don't look back"

Matthew 15
The church is not able to change what the Bible clearly says.  If the Bible says it's wrong, then the church cannot make it acceptable.   This was the case for taking care of your parents, and it is the same for other issues today.   Homosexuality is wrong..even if it's popular, or legal...it's still wrong according to the Bible, and Christians cannot embrace it.   The church is expressly forbidden to accept it.  God's law cannot be changed by men.   Yes, of course we should love the sinner and hate the sin.   Yes, we should remember to speak the truth in love.   Let's just not forget to hate the sin and speak the truth....they are the less comfortable actions.

In verse 13 Jesus tells His disciples to "ignore" the Pharisees.  He doesn't seem to care that He has offended them.  The disciples are concerned, but not Jesus.   I think that's because he has a better perspective on the situation.  He sees the Pharisees for the threat they really are...maybe they don't even realize how tainted they are themselves...   But Jesus knows that they aren't to be included in the conversation, or brought along for the journey.   The message would (and will) be tainted by their closed minds and clouded understanding.  They cannot be who they are today and lead the people.   They must be ignored, and they have to be identified as antagonistic to the genuine truth.

That's a hard teaching to understand even today.  I would be afraid that I was not "speaking in love" or that I was being too harsh to someone who might be saved as some future point.    I guess if you aren't willing to make the commitment when you hear the message, you have already chosen your course.   And if you choose to walk apart from the truth that is Jesus Christ, then you can't be allowed to consider yourself a part of the body of Christ.

PR