March 24 - Mark 8

Sometimes Mark does the same kind of stories in a row. Why? Sometimes the disciples didn't quite get it.. The needed the lesson a few times.. It's not a mistake. There are two feeding stories in a row...
The people were so eager to hear Jesus' words that they were willing to go without food so that they could hear Him. When are we that eager to hear the word of God? :)
"Pastor Rana, I'm so hungry..."

Verses 14-21 A little bit of yeast goes a long way and can change the nature of dough.. In the same way the unbelief of the Pharisees can affect a lot of people. They start to talk and talk spreads fast and soon enough many people start to doubt Jesus... Funny how talk affects people so easily.

Verses 27f... Who is Jesus? "He is the Christ (Messiah)" Why would Jesus not want people to know about this? mostly because people thought the Messiah was going to be this powerful political ruler who was going to help Israel get their rightful place back in this world.. and it wasn't going to happen this way. Jesus came humbly to die, to bear the shame of the world so that we may see what is truly powerful...

And, apparently - Peter didn't get this either.
It is preposterous to think that the Savior was going to Save by dying.

Can you imagine Superman to be a weak, skinny, powerless man?
What if the Hulk was called Weakling Hulk instead of the Incredible Hulk?

This world is on their quest for power and only power in that BIG sense of the word is acceptable. We don't understand power that comes in humility. We don't understand power that comes in quietness. Sometimes silence can kill your enemies than a noisy, loud attack. Sometimes there is more power in giving up your power as Jesus did.

As we meditate and think upon the amazing and powerful act on the cross-- where Jesus laid down His power and glory to save the whole world -- instead of coming with blaring horns and machine guns...

Jesus the Messiah is powerful but not in the blow-up everything, big buff muscles kind of way.. It's more like a shepherd with His flock...