David Bahn – Reflections

Mark 8:10-20

And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.

¹¹ The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, 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.” ¹³ And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side.

I can fairly easily understand Jesus’ desire to leave so quickly when he is greeted on his arrival by the Pharisees who only want to argue and make him prove his ways and motives. If I put myself in his place, I would expect at least some appreciation. After all Jesus had just fed the four thousand. Just prior to that he had healed the man who was deaf and could not speak. He is ready for some down time only to discover that some self-important Pharisees want to take him on.

So just as quickly as he come, he goes away to the other side. From one side of the Sea of Galilee to the other, Jesus goes. And as he goes, even his disciples don’t understand him. If we are not wanted in one group, we will find a way to get to another place. It’s a part of the rhythm of life. So much of that is pain avoidance on our part. But Jesus does not center his life around pain avoidance; he centers his life around doing the will of the Father and manifesting the Kingdom of God wherever he goes.

This does not insure that he will have smooth sailing. Even his disciples don’t fully understand him. But it does give him a deeper and more pure peace. Jesus perfectly lives out his identity as the Son of God. He also manifests great power under the authority of his heavenly Father. And even though people around him are either antagonistic to him or fail to understand him, Jesus will continue his work.

Perhaps you work with someone who will not understand you or will always oppose your ideas. This is especially difficult if ethical, moral or legal issues are at play. As we let our coming and going be defined not so much by pain avoidance (either caving in or going along) we will best represent Jesus in our daily lives. He alone did it perfectly. But we represent him well when we center our lives on faithfulness to the Father’s ways in fear and trust of him only.

¹⁴ Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. ¹⁵ And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” ¹⁶ And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread. ¹⁷ And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? ¹⁸ Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? ¹⁹ When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” ²⁰ “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” ²¹ And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”