DO YOU NOT REMEMBER?
Mark 8:1-21
Have you ever found yourself in a place or a situation that seems oddly familiar but you are fairly certain that you have never been there before? This phenomenon is often referred to as “déjà vu” This is a French phrase that means “seen again”. Yogi Berra coined the phrase “it’s déjà vu all over again”.
Recently I drove through a small town that seemed very familiar to me, but I know for a fact that I have never been in that part of the country in my entire life. We may get a similar feeling as we walk through this portion of scripture. Several events in this Chapter are very similar to certain events that we have already examined in our journey through Mark’s Gospel account.
- In this chapter we see:
i. A Familiar Response By Jesus Concerning A Hungry Multitude
ii. A Familiar Reaction By Jesus Concerning His Hostile Enemies
iii. A Familiar Rebuke By Jesus Concerning His Hard-Hearted Disciples
The events covered in verses 1-9 are so similar to what we saw in Chapter 6 that some commentators suggest that they are the same. I am neither a scholar, nor a theologian but I can assure you that the feeding of the 5,000 and the feeding of the 4,000 are two separate events. We know this because some of the details are different, We also know this because both Mark and Matthew refer to them as two separate events, and it is very apparent because in the latter part of this chapter, Jesus Himself refers to the feeding of the 4,000 and the feeding of the 5,000 as two separate events.
There are other details in Mark Chapter 8 that are similar to things we have seen before. Again, the Pharisees arrive and challenge Jesus, we also see Jesus and the Disciples on another boat ride, and, once more Jesus confronts the lack of faith and hardheartedness of His Disciples. While these events are similar to things we have examined in the past, there are some contrasts and some fresh truths that we can learn. For that reason I would like to walk through verses 1-23 and consider Jesus’ important question “Do You Not Remember?” We will begin by examining:
I. A FAMILIAR RESPONSE FROM JESUS CONCERING A HUNGRY MULTITUDE
In this passage we have the gathering of another great multitude of people. At the close of chapter 7 there was a great crowd thronging Jesus. Matthew tells us that they brought the blind, deaf, lame and many others to Jesus hoping that He would heal them. And as usual, that is exactly what He did.
Mark describes a specific encounter between Jesus and a deaf mute. Jesus had compassion on this man and took him away from the multitude and healed him. After doing so, Jesus commanded this man and those who witnessed the miracle to remain silent.
However, they were “astonished beyond measure” and the more Jesus commanded them to be quiet, the more they spread the news of His miracle working power. They glorified God and proclaimed that Jesus had “done all things well”. It is likely that the number of the multitude continued to increase as a result of their testimony. As we arrive in Chapter 8, Jesus has been ministering to this multitude for three days. He knew that they were hungry and if they did not get something to eat, they would “faint along the way”. Jesus not only recognized their predicament, He had compassion on them and ensured that they were filled.
This is a great metaphor for what He desired to do for them spiritually. He knew that they were in “dire straits” spiritually speaking and He desired to do something about that as well. Let’s take a moment and consider:
A. THE SIMILARITIES CONCERNING THE MULTITUDE
- As we have stated, there are many similarities between this multitude and the multitude in Chapter 6. We see that:
1. THIS MULTITUDE WAS SIMILAR IN NUMBER
v1 In those days, the multitude being very great…
v9 Now those who had eaten were about four thousand.
Mark mentioned that there were four thousand people on this occasion, but Matthew goes on to tell us that “those that ate were four thousand men, besides the women and children.” (Matthew 15:38) This means that a conservative estimate of this crowd would be near 16,000 people.
- Not only was this multitude similar in number, we also see that:
2. THIS MULTITUDE WAS SIMILAR IN NEED
On both occasions, the people who were gathered around Jesus were in desperate need. They certainly knew about their own physical needs, but they had other (more important) needs that they did not recognize. Notice that:
A) THEY HAD PHYSICAL NEEDS
The main reason that many of these people had come to Jesus was because they possessed certain physical ailments. As had become common, Jesus was met by people who were deaf, blind, mute, lame, sick, those who were lepers and I’m sure there were some in the crowd who were possessed by “unclean spirits”. But by day number three they all had one thing in common… they were starving! (v1 In those days, the multitude being very great and having nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples to Him and said to them, 2 “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 And if I send them away hungry to their own houses, they will faint on the way; for some of them have come from afar." 4 Then His disciples answered Him, "How can one satisfy these people with bread here in the wilderness?")
We can say this much about the Lord’s Disciples, they were a consistent bunch! Unfortunately, they had a consistent lack of faith. After all they had seen, they asked Jesus “How can one satisfy these people with bread here in the wilderness?” Once again, these men looked at their circumstances rather than looking to the Creator. At this time they were in “The Decapolis” and this was an area that was not as heavily populated at Galilee. They were in the wilderness and there was nowhere they could go and retrieve enough food to satisfy the large crowd.
- The people in this multitude had physical needs, but it is also true that:
B) THEY HAD SPIRITUAL NEEDS
As we have seen time and time again, Jesus’ main purpose was not to work miracles; His mission was to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God. But He did use physical miracles to illustrate spiritual truths and to reach the people with the message of the Gospel. His miracles also served to illustrate His love and compassion for the people and they also demonstrated His divine power.
We are not given a transcript of Jesus’ teaching on this occasion, but if these people had traveled with Him for three days you can rest assured they heard a sermon from the Master, probably several! I am sure that they learned great truths from the greatest preacher to ever walk the earth. And I am certain that they were commanded to “repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”, for this was the heart of Jesus message when He walked the earth.
- Not only were there some similarities concerning this multitude and the multitude that Jesus fed back in Chapter 6, there were also several similarities between the two miracles. Let’s examine:
B. THE SIMILARITIES CONCERNING THE MIRACLE
- One again there is a large, hungry crowd. And as was the case before, the resources to feed them were minimal. Notice that:
1. THE RESOURCES WERE SIMILAR
v5 He asked them, "How many loaves do you have?" And they said, "Seven." 6 So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and they set them before the multitude. 7 They also had a few small fish; and having blessed them, He said to set them also before them.
Jesus asked the Disciples how much bread they had on hand. They took inventory and reported that they only had seven loaves and a few fish. Once again, the physical amount of food was nowhere near sufficient to feed a multitude of over 4,000 people. That is, unless Jesus is on the scene.
Jesus did not fret, He simply took what was available, gave thanks to God for it, and then He broke the bread and shared it with others. As He did in the previous miracle, Jesus had the people sit down in groups and then He used the Disciples to distribute the food among the people.
- Not only were the resources similar, we also see that:
2. THE RESULTS WERE SIMILAR
v8 So they ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets of leftover fragments. 9 Now those who had eaten were about four thousand. And He sent them away,
Even though the amount of food was minimal, in the end there was enough for everyone to eat. Furthermore, everyone who ate was satisfied. Then to top it off, there were plenty of leftovers! In fact, there were more leftovers on this occasion than there were before. When Jesus fed the five thousand there were twelve baskets of leftover fragments. On this occasion, seven baskets of fish and bread remained. In the original language (Greek) two different words are used for the baskets that contained the leftovers. At the feeding of the five thousand the Disciples picked up twelve “kophinous” This word speaks of a hand basket. On this occasion they gathered the leftovers into seven “spuridi”. This word speaks of a basket that was large enough to hold a person. Once again we see just why the people followed Jesus and proclaimed “He has done all things well!”
Just as Jesus had more than enough to satisfy these people physically, He was more than capable of satisfying them spiritually and eternally. He can do the same for you today if you will put your trust in Him. (John 6:33 For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." 34 Then they said to Him, "Lord, give us this bread always." 35 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.)
Jesus loved these people and wanted to see them filled physically. But even greater was His desire for them to be satisfied spiritually. Sadly, one more similarity between the feeding of the five thousand and the feeding of the four thousand is the fact that many who saw the miracles, heard the message and experienced the meal would eventually reject Jesus. I pray that you will learn from their error. Realize that He is your only hope of true satisfaction and repent and believe in Him today.
While there were many similarities between the two multitudes that Jesus fed, there were also some major differences. These two events happened in different locations. Also, the majority present at the feeding of the five thousand was Jews; but on this occasion the majority was Gentiles. The scriptures also make it clear that the size of the crowds were different. And the resources (though similar) were different. The five thousand were fed with five loaves and two fish. The four thousand were fed with seven loaves and a few fish The people in this crowd had been with Jesus for three days and the others had only been with Him for a day. In the previous account, the Disciples addressed the hunger of the multitude, and their solution was to send them away. On this occasion, Jesus is the one who brought up the fact that the people needed to eat.
One reason that Jesus had such compassion on these people was the fact that He could relate to their physical hunger. Jesus knew what it was like to go without food for long periods of time. (Matthew 4:2 when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.)
We must never underestimate the importance of Jesus’ humanity. Our Savior walked this earth as a man. Because of this, He can relate to every single issue that we face in this life. He even knows what it is like to be tempted to sin. Because of His humanity, He is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. (Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.)
- Jesus has compassion on those who are in need and He has the power to meet those needs. As we move a little further we come to another situation that seems very familiar. Notice:
II. A FAMILIAR REACTION BY JESUS CONCERING HIS HOSTILE ENEMIES
v10 immediately got into the boat with His disciples, and came to the region of Dalmanutha. 11 Then the Pharisees came out and began to dispute with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, testing Him. 12 But He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation."
After the miracle, Jesus and the Disciples boarded a boat and crossed the Sea of Galilee. They traveled west toward Dalmanutha. When they arrived, they were met by some Pharisees who demanded to see a sign from Heaven. They claimed to want further proof that Jesus was the Messiah. They didn’t just want to see a miracle; they wanted conformation from the Heavens (something astronomical) concerning Jesus. Of all the things that Jesus had done, there was ample proof that He was the Messiah. Jesus refused to give in to their demands. Even if Jesus had provided some sign from Heaven, His enemies would have just given the devil credit as they had done in the past. (Mark 3:22 …the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, "He has Beelzebub," and, "By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons.")
Many people today have the same mindset as the Pharisees. They demand that God give them some visible manifestation of His existence. The fact is, God has given mankind more than enough evidence of His existence. And the only way to “see Him” is through faith in His Son Jesus Christ. God was right there with the Pharisees and they missed Him because of a lack of faith. I pray that you do not make the same mistake!
As we arrive in verses 13-23 we find another “déjà vu” moment. Though this passage seems familiar, it is not a different account of a previous event. What we have is one more instance where the Lord’s Disciples lack of faith was on full display. Let’s consider:
III. A FAMILIAR REBUKE BY JESUS CONCERNING HIS HARD-HEARTED DISCIPLES
v13 And He left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other side. 14 Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat. 15 Then He charged them, saying, "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." 16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "It is because we have no bread."
Again Jesus and the Disciples cross the Sea of Galilee and travel to the northeast shore where toward Bethsaida. Jesus took this opportunity to teach His Disciples. He warned them to “beware of the leaven of the Pharisees”. The “leaven” is a figurative description of the self-centered reliance of the Pharisees and of King Herod. (v15b "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.") Jesus is warning the Disciples against having a similar attitude to the Pharisees and Herod. The Disciples completely misunderstood Jesus’ message. Instead of focusing on His teaching, they begin to discuss their situation concerning literal food.
The Disciples were men of faith who had surrendered their lives to the Lord and Savior. However, their hearts were still partially closed to the truths that Jesus taught. Jesus addresses this and asked them if they still do not perceive or understand what He is saying. (v17 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, "Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened? 18 Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember?)
There are some similarities between the Disciples and the Pharisees. Both suffered from a lack of faith and from hard hearts. But there is a major difference between the Pharisees and the Disciples as well. The Pharisees blatantly rejected the teaching of Jesus. The Disciples were very open to His message; they just had a hard time understanding it.
- In His rebuke, Jesus reminded the Disciples of the things that they had seen with their own eyes and heard with their own ears. Look with me to verses 19-21
v19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?" They said to Him, "Twelve." 20 “Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?" And they said, "Seven." 21 So He said to them, "How is it you do not understand?"
Jesus marveled at the lack of faith that His closest followers possessed. I can’t help but wonder how many times Jesus marvels at our unbelief as well. I don’t know about you but there have been to many times in my life when my Lord has said to me “How is it that you do not understand?” The Disciples were concerned about having enough bread when they had just picked up seven large baskets full of leftovers from one of Jesus’ greatest miracles.
Like the Disciples, many Christians spend their days worrying about things that they cannot control. Furthermore we forget that we belong to the Omnipotent (all powerful) God of the universe. Jesus is always with us but too often we look at our circumstances rather than looking to our Creator! Many times we fail to pray because our minds are filled with doubt. And when we do pray, we do so with a tremendous lack of faith.
Listen to a conversation that Jesus had with His Disciples in - Luke 12:22 Then He said to His disciples, "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. 23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? 25 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
26 If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?
One of the biggest problems for the Disciples was that they failed to remember the things that they had seen and heard from Jesus. Likewise, a major cause of our lack of faith is that we fail to remember all that He has done in the past. We forget that He has promised to “never leave us or forsake us”. We forget that He has said “I am with you always” We forget that He has promised that the Spirit would “empower” us. We forget that He has promised to hear and to answer our prayers. (John 14:13 …whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.) We forget the mighty power that Jesus possesses. And we forget the times that He has moved in our lives in the past.
Worst of all, we forget that Jesus loves us and we are very precious to Him. If He loved us enough to lay down His life to save us from our sins, don’t you think that He loves you enough to take care of you each and every day of your life? When we forget these things it causes us to have a lack of faith. And having a lack of faith and hard hearts will prevent us from serving the Lord as we should.
Jesus was preparing the Disciples for the ministry that was to come. In order for them to serve Him like they should, it was necessary for them to trust in Him. After all they had seen they still possessed a lack of faith. So much so that Jesus said to them "How is it you do not understand?" This was not the first time that Jesus addressed their hard-hearts, nor would it be the last.
He will address our lack of faith and hard-hearts as well. Let me encourage you to remember who Jesus is and all that He has done. And when you are faced with difficult circumstances and you are tempted to doubt, look to Jesus, remember how He has moved in the past then trust Him to do it again. May we seek to trust Him daily and to avoid putting Him in the position where He would have to say to us “Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember?”
