v.1..Jesus and His disciples were now in the region of the Decapolis, a Gentile area. The feeding of the 5000 had occurred in Israel proper.
Why had a crowd gathered already to meet Jesus ? –Mark,ch.5-v20.
Does Jesus have a concern for the Gentiles as He has for people of His own race ?
v.2.- Is there an order in His response to human need ? See ch.9,.v 19-27.
Is the sequence .. sight- feeling- action.?
Do we see others with Jesus’ eyes, do we hear others needs with Jesus’ ears, do we want to respond as Jesus did as far as we are able ?
v.4…Had the disciples forgotten the miracle of the feeding of the 5000, or was it that they lacked faith in His power ?
v.5.. Is the challenge for us one of faith, so that we use whatever we have in the situation and act in faith with it ?
v.10… Dalmanutha is near the west coast of the sea of Galilee, and here the Pharisees again confront Jesus to test Him.
v.11..The Pharisees ask for proof of His authority and identity as the divine Son of man ( Mark ch.2,.v.10ff.)
They ask for proof by way of a miracle before they believe in Him. Is that the basis for true belief , or should we believe on the basis of God’s word or promise ?- 1 Peter,ch.1,v.8; John,ch.20v.29.
v.15.. What was the danger of the “yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod “ ?- Matt,ch.16,.v12; 1 Cor.ch.5,v.6-8
Leaven or yeast in Jewish thought was seen as a symbol of evil influence.
Leaven of the Pharisees is evident in their attitude in Mark,ch.7,.v.3-8.
Leaven of Herod was evident in the love of power and prestige..Luke,ch.23,v.6-12.
v.16-17..Did the disciples understand the meaning of Jesus’ reference to the leaven ?
v.18-21.. Had the disciples remembered Jesus’ signs of power and authority shown to everyone with the spiritual eyes to see them in miracles of the 5000 and the 4000 ?
Do we read the lessons of our own experiences of Jesus’ power in our own lives, and go from faith to more faith , or do we retreat into doubt or unbelief ,as the disciples did on this occasion ?
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