There's no right or wrong time to Bible study — what's important is that you open your Bible at all! Bible study doesn't always happen for me first thing in the morning. Lately, I find that afternoon study sessions fit into my schedule better. Last night, however, I sat down to read my Bible after everyone in the house was asleep. I used a Bible app so that I wouldn't have to bother anyone by turning on a lamp. The best part is, wherever you are, however early in the morning or late in the evening, God is already there and ready for you. Whether you've got a few minutes or an hour, any amount of the Word is better than none of it.
Today I'm inviting you to do a little Bible study with me using my Bible Reading Plan. I've started a new routine when I sit down to study, so before I get to today's reading I'll explain that a bit...
On the days when I'm able to sit down for a while I like to grab 3 different translations of the Bible. I am currently reading through the King James Version, New Living Translation, and the Christian Standard Bible. Each version helps me to understand different passages just by changing a word or phrase here or there. And, since I'm reading the chapter three times over, it helps me to retain the information better so that I'm able to meditate on it throughout the rest of my day.
Today's reading is Mark 8. I will be sharing the CSB version with you here, and my notes regarding each major passage, but don't hesitate to look through other translations to further your own understanding.
Thanks for joining me today; let's get started!
#1 A Compassionate JesusFeeding the Four Thousand
1 In those days there was again a large crowd, and they had nothing to eat. He called the disciples and said to them, 2 "I have compassion on the crowd, because they've already stayed with me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a long distance." 4 His disciples answered him, "Where can anyone get enough bread here in this desolate place to feed these people?" 5 "How many loaves do you have?" He asked them. "Seven," they said. 6 He commanded the crowd to sit down on the ground. Taking the seven loaves, He gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to His disciples to set before the people. So they served them to the crowd. 7 They also had a few small fish, and after He had blessed them, He said these were to be served as well. 8 They ate and were satisfied. Then they collected seven large baskets of leftover pieces. 9 About four thousand were there. He dismissed them. 10 And He immediately got into the boat with His disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.
Whenever I read about Jesus, especially when He is confronted with those in need, He is always moved with compassion. Christ feels our pain deep within His Spirit. He cares so deeply for us!
#2 Remembering Jesus' Past Faithfulness
This is why knowing the context is so important. In a previous chapter, Jesus already performed the miracle of feeding the Five Thousand. However, His disciples had already seemed to forget how Jesus provided for them as they were faced with the hungry crowd of four thousand. How often do we forget how God has taken care of our past needs? What will it take for us to no longer be blind to His grace and provision for us? The disciples had been with Him and experienced the miracle firsthand, and yet they still were struggling with their unbelief.
#3 Our Lack is His Abundance
When Jesus fed the five thousand, he used a little boy’s fish and loaves. This time, He asked the disciples to give all that they had. When we give out of our lack, God responds with His abundance. Everyone ate that day and they were satisfied! Jesus even commanded them to sit because He was providing them a real meal that would give them sustenance.
The Leaven of the Pharisees and Herod#4 The Swelling of Sin and Pride
11 The Pharisees came and began to argue with Him, demanding of Him a sign from heaven to test him. 12 Sighing deeply in His Spirit, He said, "Why does this generation demand a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation." 13 Then He left them, got back into the boat, and went to the other side. 14 The disciples had forgotten to take bread and had only one loaf with them in the boat. 15 Then He gave them strict orders: "Watch out! Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." 16 They were discussing among themselves that they did not have any bread. 17 Aware of this, He said to them, "Why are you discussing the fact you have no bread? Don't you understand or comprehend? Do you have hardened hearts? 18 Do you have eyes and not see; do you have ears and not hear? And do you not remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of leftovers did you collect?" "Twelve," they told Him. 20 "When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many baskets full of pieces did you collect?" "Seven," they said. 21 And He said to them, "Don't you understand yet?"
Jesus' miracles were never meant to be evidence used to get unbelievers to believe. They were used to show the glory and mercy of God. The Pharisees would try to test Jesus by means of tempting Him - Jesus knew they were too puffed up to understand Him. The Pharisee’s bad doctrine left them "puffed up" and full of themselves. Just a little bit can spoil the lot; Jesus was warning His disciples not to turn into these power-hungry, self-glorifying Pharisees.
#5 Room for Improvement
The disciples, who witnessed many of Jesus' miracles, still couldn't fully understand His mission. This is another call to remember the faithfulness of God. Also, that there is still much more for us to learn.
Healing a Blind Man#6 A Gradual Healing
22 They came to Bethsaida. They brought a blind man to Him and begged Him to touch him. 23 He took the blind man by the hand and brought Him out of the village. Spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, "Do you see anything?" 24 He looked up and said, "I see people — they look like trees walking." 25 Again Jesus placed His hands on the man's eyes. The man looked intently and his sight was restored and he saw everything clearly. 26 Then He sent him home, saying, "Don't even go into the village."
Peter's Confession of Faith
27 Jesus went out with His disciples to the villages of Caesarea Phillippi. And on the road He asked His disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" 28 They answered Him, "John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, one of the prophets." 29 "But you," He asked them, "who do you say that I am?" Peter answered Him, "You are the Messiah." 30 And He strictly warned them to tell no one about Him.
When Jesus laid hands on the blind man, he wasn't instantly healed. Instead, Jesus laid hands on him again and healed him completely, but gradually. Our spiritual blindness can be healed the same way—gradually!
#7 Not Yet Ready
Jesus warned His disciples to not tell anyone about Him because they were still certain the Messiah would be a powerful, political figure who would rule over them as king. They were not yet ready to fully understand His true mission.
Predictions of Death and Defining Discipleship#8 Jesus Reveals His Mission
31 Then He began to teach them that it was necessary for the Son of Man to suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and rise after three days. 32 He spoke openly about this. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33 But turning around and looking at His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! You are not thinking about God's concerns but human concerns." 34 Calling the crowd along with His disciples, He said to them, "If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me and the gospel will save it. 36 For what does it benefit someone to gain the whole world and yet lose his life? 37 What can anyone give in exchange for his life? 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."
Jesus spoke openly about his purpose — to die on the cross, not to be an earthly king. Peter was used unknowingly by Satan to try and distract Jesus from His true mission, saying He must not suffer so. Jesus rebuked Satan; He would not be diverted from His mission.
#9 Denying Self is Not the Same as Self-Denial
Sometimes we must use self-denial for our own good, but what Jesus asks of us is to remove all of the things creating obstacles that are keeping us from giving Christ full control over our lives. Just as Jesus refused to act apart from God's will, we should also strive to live according to the will of God. Whatever we give up can NEVER add to our lives what Christ Jesus can. Just as a seed, only once it is buried can it truly be set free to sprout and grow into all it was created to be!
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I hope you enjoyed this short and sweet Bible study session with me. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the chapter, what the Holy Sprit put on your heart, or even your prayer requests if you'd like to leave a comment below or send a message!
Happy Blogmas and Merry Christmas!
