Mark Chapter 8

It is within the pages of scripture that we find the love of Jesus. We hear it so much that Jesus loves us. To see it with your own eyes - you must read the Bible and see how He demonstrated His love amongst the people.

Mark describes how Jesus had great concern for the welfare of the crowd that had been following and listening to Him for three days. He was concerned that if they tried to travel home without any food in their bodies, they would faint on the way home. The word that Jesus used was compassion, He had compassion for the crowd. He not only cared about their spiritual need, but He also cared about their physical need.

Let's Reflect

1. How many people were in the crowd on this occasion?

2. The forgetfulness and lack of faith of the disciples seems humorous until we stop and think about human nature and that we probably would have asked the same question had we been there that day. What question did the disciples ask?

3. What food did they have for Jesus to miraculously multiply and how many baskets of leftovers did they have this time? Here is something to think about also, where did the baskets come from? Most likely the baskets were from the crowd, maybe the ones who had brought the food.

4. What did Jesus do that showed that Jesus was distressed at the unbelief of the Pharisees who came out to hear Him speak, hoping to see a sign? The Pharisees wanted to see a big miracle, they did not understand that Jesus performed miracles because of His mercy and pure love for people. Apparently, the miracles He had already performed were not enough for their hardened hearts.

5. What was Jesus’ response to the desire of the Pharisees?

6. I think the disciples embarrassed themselves as they spoke about their lack of food when they were in the boat with Jesus. What did Jesus remind them of?

7. In verses 22-26 Jesus healed a blind man, but not all at once. Bible scholars have differing opinions as to why Jesus did it this way. Perhaps it was to demonstrate how faith is increased the more our eyes are opened to His truth. What was the final result for this man?

8. Why did Jesus ask the disciples who they thought that He was and then told them not to tell anyone?

9. The disciples had grown close to Jesus. They loved Him too. This was demonstrated by the action of Peter when he learned that Jesus was going to die. What did Peter say out of a desire to keep his friend Jesus?

10. Jesus used this response as a teaching moment. He taught the disciples and the crowd what it really means to love Jesus. What will a person do that truly loves Jesus?