Let the Shepherd Lead

Originally Proclaimed: 03/01/19

Intro:

• Last night at the CEF Banquet we heard a story told about a Marine in WWII. I went home and looked it up because I thought that it was a good way to begin our message this morning.
• Though the name and the exact location of this marine is not recorded, the story takes place in the Pacific islands near Saipan. Those islands were covered with thick jungles over the mountainous terrain.
• The Japanese controlled these islands and the allied forces were tasked with liberating them one by one for many months.
• Our Marine found himself separated from his unit in the jungle As enemy troops approached he frantically looked for a place to hide. Spotting a cave, he sprinted for its opening.
• The Marine, having been to church back at home, prayed as he made his way to the cave for the Lord to shield him, if the Lord was real. He even asked if it was possible for God to provide a brick wall in front of the cave’s entrance.
• As he settled into the cave, and slowed his breathing, he realized that light from outside the cave streamed into the cave, making it hard for him to find a place to effectively hide. Again he uttered his prayer for protection.
• In the distance he could hear the troops closing in on his location.  As he tensely continue to pray he noticed a large spider making a web across the entrance of the cave.
• Hearing the voices speaking Japanese closing ever closer, he gave up on God’s heal. He prepared his weapon and made the decision to begin shooting the minute someone entered the cave. All the while as he waited, with sweat covering his brow and back, the spider continued to build its web.
• When the soldiers finally came to his cave, the web was near completion, covering the entrance to the cave. Though the Japanese troops talked in a language he did not understand and pointed at the web, the never came into the cave. Shortly they moved on.
• The Marine began to realize as danger moved away that God had just taught him a life changing lesson. Though the Marine had prayed asking for a brick wall, the Lord answered with a spider’s web. God showed him that he could do more to save with a spider’s web, than with the best human brick wall. http://www.knowingforsure.com/2013/09/28/u-s-marine-and-the-grand-weaver/

Hook:

• Every person has to answer the question of “Who is Jesus,” but often do not feel urgency to have an answer until a crisis.
• So called “foxhole Christianity” means that no one is an unbeliever while in the desperate situation where an enemy assaults our foxhole. Not all of us have such an earth-shattering event as this Marine, but all of us have our foxhole.
• And when the time comes, when we come out of the foxhole, we must provide an answer. Is Jesus nothing more than a myth? Or is Jesus the one we all should follow?
• Our answer to that question “Who is Jesus” will transform the way we live our lives and the way we prepare for eternity.
• Today as we look at Mark 8 we will see the Bible’s three-fold answer to the question “Who is Jesus”.

Message Points:

• Chapter eight opens on a familiar scene. Jesus is teaching the crowds and recognizes that they need food.
  • As we open this passage, verse 8:1 tells us that it was “during those days” that Jesus taught another large crowd.
    • If we look back we will see that this is during Jesus’ Gentile outreach to the Decapolis and regions of Tyre and Sidon.
    • This outreach may have come about due to the opposition of the Pharisees, and that of Herod Antipas. It may also have been initially provoked due to the pressure of the large crowds in the Jewish regions.
    • Yet as this verse testifies, the crowds have now begun to gather in the Gentile regions as well.
  • Some have assumed that this feeding of the four thousand is nothing more than a retelling of the earlier feeding of the five thousand in 6:30-44.
    • Those critical scholars who assume that this story is a fabrication see the gospel writers as wanting to make Jesus into some sort of showman, able to please large crowds with miracles.
    • Yet, as those of us who believe the Bible trust that every author faithfully records true events through words, sentences, and paragraphs inspired by the Holy Spirit.
    • Thus, while the feeding of the five thousand and the feeding of the four thousand may be similar, they occur in different regions, with different statistics, and for different reasons.
  • So let’s note some of those similar and different details.
    • The Jewish miracle of chapter six occurs on the Jewish side of the lake with five thousand people who gathered for a day, being fed with five loaves and two fishes with twelve baskets of scraps left over.
      • Some have said that the repetition of five (five thousand; five loaves) emphasizes this miracle was for the Jewish audience since all Jews acknowledged the importance of the five books of Moses.
      • The two fish do not have as great an impact, but could perhaps represent the two testaments God has revealed to the Jews.
      • Finally the twelve leftover baskets seem to represent the Jews.
    • The Gentile miracle of chapter eight occurs on the Gentile side of the lake with four thousand people who gathered for three days, being fed with seven loaves and almost as an afterthought a few small fish with the disciples picking up seven basketfuls.
      • Again some have theorized the four thousand  emphasizes this as a Gentile miracle since it was commonly understood that one spoke of the whole world by mentioning the “four corners of the earth”.
      • The small fish being mentioned as an afterthought has much less impact than the three days which mirrors the time that Jesus would spend in the tomb before resurrection. Only after the resurrection could Gentiles truly be welcomed into the faith.
      • Finally the repetition seven loaves and leftover baskets emphasizes the extension of Jesus’ ministry to perfection – including believing Jews and Gentiles.
    • Further the placement of this later miraculous feeding it important. This miracle further extends Jesus’ Gentile outreach, giving but crumbs of faith to those who would seek them.
• All of these thoughts about Jesus’ reason for the miraculous feedings lead us to our 1st answer to who Jesus is. Many might ask, Is Jesus a showman (8:1-21)? But as we see in this miraculous feeding, Jesus is our compassionate God.
  • Look back at verse two. We read there that Jesus has compassion on these people presumably because they were famished both physically and spiritually.
    • Early when he fed the five thousand, he also had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.
    • Jesus is not out to receive the applause of people, always seeking to provide them with the newest thrill.
    • Jesus is a compassionate God who sees our greatest need and seeks to meet that need. For the Jews it was the need to be shepherded back to the follow him. For the Gentiles it was to receive for the first time his loving provision and care.
  • Note as well that in verse ten they travel back to the Jewish side of the lake to an unknown region called Dalmanutha. Matthew’s gospel helps us here as it tells us this near is Magdan or Magdala.
    • As soon as they arrive in that Jewish area, again the Pharisees show up demanding a sign, as if Jesus had not given them numerous signs.
    • After sighing deeply, expressing his deep exasperation with the foolishness of people, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees. He also had done this in when he healed the deaf/mute man in chapter seven. In both cases it was the foolish traditions of people that led to his exasperation.
    • This event leads Jesus to compassionately warn his disciples against falling into the trap of the Pharisees and Herodians in verse 15. But they do not understand.
      • Jesus warned them against the yeast or leaven of the Pharisees, meaning that they would spoil the purity of the disciples the same way leaven was seen to spoil the purity of a Jewish home.
      • But the disciples thought Jesus was complaining about not having any bread.
      • This leads Jesus to review the two miraculous feedings with them in verses 17-21, trying to help them to see their purpose.
  • The Pharisees in this passage do not truly desire to follow Jesus, but simply demand of him greater and greater signs.
    • They want him to be a showman constantly providing more impressive displays. If he fails they will be the first to get him out of the way so that they can run the show.
    • If Jesus had desired their applause, he would certainly have provided them with a sign. He would have conformed to their expectations, always changing to make sure he had mass appeal. But notice he does not.
    • This is not to say that even in this gospel Jesus does not give people signs to follow Him. Certainly his healings and casting out of demons as well as the miraculous feeding that just occurred, are signs that lead people to believe.
    • The problem with the Pharisees was that they were not coming seeking a sign by faith. They were coming seeking a sign out of their selfish desire to be entertained or their prideful desire to be in control.
  • Friends, are you seeking an showman Jesus, willing to follow Him so long as he keeps you entertained?
    • I heard a principle a long time ago that I think is helpful here, “Whatever you win a convert with, you keep that convert with.”
    • If the way that we win converts is based solely on keeping up with the cutting edge of ministry we have given in to the idea that Jesus is a showman.
      • No screen, musical style, hymnal, special effect, program, or awesome trip will transform a church or an individual into a Christ-follower, though it may improve the show the church produces.
      • These things are like the signs demanded by the Pharisees, sought after selfishly and to enhance pride.
      • None of those things are inherently sinful, just as signs were not sinful if they come about due to faith.
      • For instance, consider screens in worship.
        • If we put up screens merely because we want to entice people to join our church, then we are focusing on the show.
        • However, if we put up screens because we want all people to be able to read those large words of the hymns clearly, and we desire to help people see the major points of the message, then we are focusing on being compassionate like God is to those who genuinely seek him.
    • Friends, we must focus on what the helps people to understand that Jesus is a compassionate God, not a showman.
      • The reason Jesus fed the multitudes was because of his compassion. He sought to have more than a show, he sought to build a deeper relationship with them by observing and meeting needs. In that way they would heed his teaching.
      • The reason Jesus warned the disciples about the Pharisees was that he had compassion upon them. He did not want them to be wowed by the show they witnessed, ever demanding more. Thus he sought to teach them how He was different than the Pharisees.
      • And we do well, not to obscure this Jesus from people with an ever grander show.
        • In worship let us focus on singing, reading, praying, and preaching the Bible so that people encounter Jesus, our compassionate God, as He revealed himself in His Word.
        • And in our private lives, let us seek to build relationships with others where a conversation about what Jesus is doing in our lives as our compassionate God is commonplace.
• When the boat carrying Jesus lands back near the Gentile side of the lake at Bethsaida, we should understand that the miracle and subsequent questions to his disciples were intended to further help them to understand who He is.
  • After all the major emphasis of his statements in verses 17-21 is that they do not understand. Their hearts are somehow hardened, they don’t remember. Their eyes fail to see and ears fail to hear.
  • So with many similarities to the healing of the deaf/mute man at the end of chapter seven, Jesus is brought a man who is blind
  • Again we read that Jesus spits, using his saliva as a kind of medicinal salve in verse 23.
    • Remember from last week that this was a common belief at the time that the saliva of a powerful ruler or healer could bring healing itself.
    • Further notice that he simply puts his hands on the man in verse 23, not upon his eyes.
    • Rather than moving on to heal, this time, Jesus asks the man what he sees.
    • Had Jesus merely wanted to please people, he would have went ahead to fully heal the man, but he pauses to prove a point.
    • In trying to heal man’s way, the blind man’s answer in verse 24 is telling.
      • He can see people but they are like trees walking.
      • In other words the man is still practically blind.
• Thus we begin to see our 2nd answer to the question Who is Jesus? Here we ask is Jesus a people-pleaser (8:22-30)? And we answer no, Jesus is our promised Savior.
  • That is Jesus’ point. If we demand that Jesus do things our way, to please us, then we are going to be just like that man. We will see, but be practically blind.
  • Note that the miracle continues and when Jesus simply lays his hands upon the man’s eyes in verse 25 were are told that his sight was restored and “that he saw everything clearly”.
    • Friends that is what happens to us at salvation.
    • Genuine conversion does not mean that some part of our lives are changed so that Jesus is in control and others parts are left under our control.
    • Genuine conversion means that every part of our life changes.
      • We are like an engine that needs an oil change. We do not leave the old oil in the engine because it is contaminated. Unless we get under the car and drain that oil out, we have not changed the oil. Even if we pour new oil into the car without draining the old, it too will become contaminated. Without an oil change the engine will continue to run rougher and rougher until it runs no more.
      • No matter how hard it is to drain out the old ways of life, and no matter how much it is displeasing to have to do it, unless we give Jesus total control of our lives to fill us with new life we will not be saved.
  • That is Jesus’ point when he discusses with his disciples who people say that he is.
    • The disciples list many options, John the Baptist, Elijah or another one of the prophets.
    • But when pressed Peter says that Jesus is the Messiah.
      • That term Messiah was a loaded term. The Jews believed that the Living God would send his Messiah as a descendant of David.
      • As the descendant of David they believed the Messiah had the ultimate authority to bring about the salvation of God’s people.
      • And the Jews saw the Messiah as a military/political leader who would rule God’s kingdom, presumably Israel, on earth.
    • But to most, perhaps even to Peter and the other disciples, they saw Jesus like the blind man saw at first.
      • They could make out who he was, but they could not really see clearly.
      • Their pride as we will see in the final verses could not tolerate a Messiah who would suffer and bleed and die.
      • Their pride could not tolerate a Messiah who would not elevate them in the eyes of people because of their willingness to follow Him.
  • Jesus is not a people-pleaser – He is our promised Savior.
    • We can easily notice when we want Jesus to be a people-pleaser.
    • Anytime we are unwilling to give up something in order to follow Jesus, we have begun to want him to please us rather than save us.
    • Just remember the story of our Marine.
      • How foolish would he have been to demand that he would only believe in God if he provided a brick wall, not a spider web!
      • When God does something far greater than we expect with far less, how often do we complain because he does not do it the way we wanted?
      • We can get depressed or anxious all because things are not going our way.
      • The world will tell us we are suffering from low self-esteem, but friends that is the opposite of our problem. When we begin to demand that the world and even our Jesus please us, we have esteemed ourselves too highly.
      • Selfish pride that demands for others to please us results in depression and anxiety when others including God fail to please us.
      • But God provides us with a remedy in Philippians 4:6-7. He says that the peace of God comes to those who come to him in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving.
      • Thanksgiving in the ways that Jesus has already proven he is our promised Savior proves to be one of the best anti-depressants around.
  • Jesus wants us to focus on and remember that we can be thankful and a peace because He is our promised Savior.
  • He does not change in order to please people. He acts in order to save and transform people.
• This leads us to our final parts of this passage.
  • In verse 31 Jesus predicts his suffering and death which the disciples could not tolerate.
    • Peter as spokesman of the group rebukes Jesus for suggesting such a humiliating situation in verse 32.
    • Then Jesus rebukes Peter famously saying, “Get behind me Satan!” because Peters concern was not that of God but of men.
• This provides our 3rd answer to our question. Is Jesus a humiliation (8:31-9:1)?  To this the Bible answers that Jesus is our eternal Lord.
  • For those who could not tolerate Jesus’ humiliation, they ignore that he has already said that he will rise again in three days at the end of verse 31.
    • What other person could rise again from the grave?
    • But he continues.
  • These verses are so important, that if you are an under-liner, I would recommend underlining verses 34-38.
    • Verse 34 tells those who would follow Him that they will be humiliated, denying themselves and taking up their cross like Christ.
    • Verse 35 promises that only those willing to lose their lives will save it.
    • Verse 36 and 37 emphasize that gaining everything this world has to offer exercising pride and selfishness at every turn will not save a person’s soul.
    • Then verse 38 says  that anyone who is so ashamed of Christ and his words that they will not profess him before men, Jesus will not save them but be ashamed of them when he comes in glory on Judgement day.
  • You see, these verses teach that Jesus is our eternal Lord.
    • He has every right to command us to give up everything to follow him.
    • Because he rose again, he can legitimately say that if we lose our life for Him, he will give eternal lives to us.
    • And because he will come again on Judgement Day as Lord of Lords to determine who will be eternally saved and who will face eternal death; he has every right to expect that we will testify to him here and now.
  • Verse 9:1 is the icing on the cake, when he says that believers will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.
    • While this verse causes great debate, that we will discuss next week, it should be a comfort to us.
    • If we understand that Jesus is our compassionate God, coming as our promised Savior, and continuing as our eternal Lord; eternity should not be a worry to us.
    • We should expect that he will transform us with power.

Conclusion:

• So today, will you profess before men that Jesus is our God, our Savior, and our Lord?