Day 293 – Matthew 16, Mark 8

Talking Points

• Jesus warned His disciples to beware of false teachings, likening them to leaven, which, once introduced, takes its full effect on the whole of the dough. Simply, false teachings are dangerous; we must be on our guard.
• “But who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15) The answer to this question posed by Jesus is everything. When pressed, Peter rightly declares, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (16:16). Jesus’ response proves the magnitude of our answer to this question. “I also say that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” (16:18). Many have misunderstood Jesus’ meaning here. Be sure, Peter is not the foundational rock of the Church — Jesus is! It is on the truth that Peter declared that the Church is established. Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God!
• It seems no matter how impressive the things we’ve witnessed or the truths we’ve seemingly settled, people are still quick to forget who God is and what He has done. Though witnessing Christ feed tens of thousands of people on two separate and miraculous occasions, the disciples still whispered amongst themselves about the bread they’d forgotten. Short-sighted like us, they failed to understand bread would not be their problem — they literally walked with the Bread of Life.
• In Mark 8:38, Jesus said that “whoever is ashamed of [Him] and [His] words…, [He] will also be ashamed of him.” The word “ashamed” means not willing to identify with, shamed because of, or embarrassed by. In Isaiah, it was prophesied that the Messiah would be met with people ashamed of Him — “like one from whom men hide their face” (Isaiah 53:3). What a sad thing with terrible consequence to be embarrassed of Jesus our Savior.
• Again, we hear Jesus teach on the costliness of true discipleship. But, He reminds us that this world and its charms have nothing of true value to offer us. If we gained everything the world says we need, that would be the cost too great to bear.

Thoughts

Sometimes, I read a word or phrase in Scripture that just stands out. It will stop me in my tracks, and I’ll back up and reread it several times just wondering at what God is trying to show us in its inclusion. Today, it was this: “Sighing deeply in His spirit…” (Mark 8:12).

It’s the only occurrence of this word anywhere in Scripture. And, it’s talking about Jesus.

Jesus, approached by Pharisees arguing and testing Him, sighed deeply. A groan or a sigh began in the depths of His spirit, His innermost being, and moved upward with intensity.

As I slow down and think on this phrase, I can’t help but remember moments in my life that make me sigh — the toilet paper roll is empty, the same question was just asked for the fourth time that morning, the laundry spoiled in the washing machine, the dog waited until I got in bed to let me know she needed out — sigh. But, I know, as I read this statement preserved forever in the Word of God, these are all laughable. Minor irritations. Sweet annoyances. Necessary inconveniences.

But, look at what makes the God who took on flesh sigh deeply in His spirit. It’s people who just won’t believe. Those He came to save, those who’d already seen the crazy miraculous signs, those who needed the Savior standing right in front of them — they refuse to believe. They came to argue. With God. And, He sighs.

It all makes me appreciate His humanity and His patience and His love and His compassion. It makes me want to be like Him. It makes me love Him more. He truly longs for us to believe.