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?" (Mark 8:16-21)

What They Heard

While Jesus warned the disciples about the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod, the disciples worried that they had no bread (16). They'd only brought one loaf with them, and they assumed Jesus was rebuking them for their oversight. I really try not to pick on the disciples, but...

Jesus' Response

Jesus was aware of their response, and he didn't appreciate it. Remember, these men were being trained for the greatest mission in history. Their future work was all-important, and there were lessons they needed to learn. And time was of the essence. As Jesus' popularity grew, so did his opposition. The cross was coming; it was only a matter of time. The disciples needed to learn. So Jesus barraged his men with questions, the last of which was, "Do you not yet understand?" (17-21).

The feeding of the five and four thousand had not come home for these disciples. Jesus' work had not saturated their minds. They were still unchanged. They still did not understand. And, on top of his miraculous feedings, they were currently in a boat with Jesus. He had done some of his most amazing work in and around that boat! They should have known they were alright.

The past performance of Jesus should have stimulated their future faith. And this is always how God wants to work with his people. When he delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt, they should have been strengthened in faith that he would give them victory in Canaan. Unfortunately, the congregation of Israel believed the faithless spies and said, "Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?" (Numbers 14:3). They had not allowed God's previous work to stimulate their future faith.

We would all benefit from setting our minds on God's past care for us. Sorrows came—and you are still standing. Financial pressures pressed—and you got through. Sickness arrived—and you endured. Temptations assailed—and you still received God's grace.

Ancient people sometimes considered the spit of powerful people as having medicinal value (23). Jesus took this man aside privately and applied spittle to his eyes. He was healed!

But the significant detail about this healing is its progressive nature. This is the only healing Jesus performed that occurred in stages. First, the man's vision was blurred, and people looked like walking trees (24). Second, after Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again, he saw everything clearly (25).

The major emphasis of the healing is on the giving of sight. In the original Greek, there are eight different words used to describe sight in this brief passage. In stages, the man was given sight.

And, as I said earlier, I think Mark's placing of this miracle here was intentional. In our next study, the disciples are going to confess Jesus as the Christ, but they will also make mistakes about how they understand Jesus' mission. It's like they see Jesus partly, but Jesus is working hard to give them full vision, to see him correctly.

May he do the same for us. May we see his compassion, style, and power more clearly than ever before.

***

For the entire Mark series, go here. Thank you.