Mark 8:1-13

Jesus tested His disciples in the moment-by-moment walk of the day. The test was an opportunity for them to draw on their faith and grow in it.   But their default response is to consider what they themselves could accomplish. Notice they did not say, "Where will be we be able...” They said, "Where will anyone...” Apparently, they included Jesus in the company of those that they believed were unable. They saw the impossibility of the situation. They did not see the One who could solve the problem. Often times we see the problem and then we look for the solution either natural or Supernatural. Instead of looking for the solution either natural or Supernatural we ought to look at the Savior. Seek the person not the provision! We see no material solution and we see no Divine solution and we begin to despair. Let the situation be seen in the shadow of the Lord. The disciples’ failure of a test of their faith is put in context with the Pharisees.  For the disciples there is hope in spite of their failure.  No so with the Pharisees. Don’t miss the subtle difference that Jesus gives the disciples a test. It is appropriate for the greater to test the lesser. But the Pharisees test the greater, that is Jesus. It is wrong for the lesser to test the greater. Note that God does not respond to being tested. His display of power may be acts of kindness that demonstrate who He is, but they are never offered as proof to satisfy one who would act as a puppet master. In the course of 16 verses, we see Jesus sigh twice. First was deep emotion from the Lord, but this time sad and disappointed.  I wonder, do I ever make Jesus sigh and on what occasions and why?