Discernment

I wrote about some of this in an earlier post :Mark 8:11-25 Some insight we got in class Wednesday.
I'd like to continue with that topic, because I find it very interesting and I feel inspired.

I don't mind telling you that to many people, the verses in Mark 8 and 9 seem disjointed and disconnected, a series of events and no flow.
I assure you, nothing is farther from the truth, and once I realized that God wouldn't present us material in such a fashion, it was our class's and my obligation to seek Him for revelation on what He meant by it.

Mark Chapter 8 and 9.

1. Jesus gave the disciple authority and sent them out to do battle, and they came back thrilled with stories of having heeled the sick and casting out demons.
2. They saw huge crowds gather and Jesus miraculously feeding them (acting as if He expected them to handle it).
3. They got in a boat to come back, and in the boat realized they only had one loaf of bread.
   I imagine they said this in such a way that Jesus would hear and multiply it for them.
   Jesus instead says something "odd". "Beware the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod". But He doesn't explain it, and they think His remark has something to do with their want of bread. This however is the key verse that explains so much to follow.
4. He then chastises them for not understanding (eyes to see, ears to hear, etc.).
   It then seems he expected of them to either:
          a. Multiply the loaf themselves
                                or
          b. Not worry about it.
   But the fact that they do not understand is crucial and links back to the leaven comment.
5. Jesus heals the blind man. Not just his vision, but his perception. His understanding.
6. Jesus asks the boys who men say He is.
   He then asks who they say He is (testing their understanding).
   They think He is the Messiah or they wouldn't be following Him around.
   They also assume that they are His chosen lieutenants, if not generals, and bound for imminent glory as He takes His throne.
   Peter says He is the Christ for that reason.
   Jesus clearly points out that He is about to die, arise in three days, etc.
   Peter grabs Him and says "That's crazy talk!".
   Jesus tells Peter, Get thee behind me Satan. Why? Peter is telling Jesus that he is bound for a soon coming earthly kingdom, what Satan offered Him in the desert. Jesus hears Satan tempting Him again through Peter's words. I don't know why I never saw that before.
7. Jesus then talks about gaining the world and losing your soul. That is the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod. Ruling the world without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit will cost you your soul. This lesson is not easily learned.
8. Next is the Mount of Transfiguration.
   Moses and Elijah (the Law and the Prophets, the Old Testament) appear and the guys want to build them houses, expecting that they'll stick around for the imminent Kingdom.
   The Father says instead, "This is My beloved Son: hear Him!". (Forget your pre-conceived notions of the coming kingdom).
9. Jesus tells them to keep it on the down low until He rises from the dead. He has told them a few times that He will die and rise from the dead. It's as if they never heard him. Not Understanding.
10. After the "Mountain Top Experience" they come down (literally and figuratively) to find the guys left behind can't cast a demon out of a boy. Jesus does it and says "These come out by much prayer and fasting.
    At least in the King James he does. Not the NIV. That's another discussion.
    What is fasting? In it's simplest definition, it is denying oneself of something. Typically food.
    Jesus may have been referring to His earlier comment about denying oneself.
    My pastor and I believe the disciples may have been guilty of grandstanding while attempting to cast the demon out, in essence, not denying themselves. 
11. Next, He plainly tells them what is to come, and they can't grasp it.:
    31 For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.
    32 But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.
12. Then he calls them out for an argument they didn't want Him to hear:
    34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.  The leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod.
    He answers them with "receive the children" which I interpret as "don't think you're too important to interact with the powerless".
13. They complain about someone doing works in Jesus name that isn't one of them.
    Someone is stealing their thunder. Jesus says in effect, "Get over it".
14. 43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: Get rid of the leaven, it is a cancer.
    Another take on this is leaven based: No one goes Hollywood with a limb missing or an eye missing. Stop going Hollywood. Stop worrying about your glory. It could cost you your soul.
    Do not offend the powerless with your haughtiness. 
15. 50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
    Can you eat one potato chip? (Scherie can, but I digress).
    Make yourself attractive and approachable to others so they'll come back for more, and quit vying for position.

Well, if you're still there, thanks for listening.

This is one of the most important posts I've ever done.
There have been other topics I've wanted to pursue, but we're doing a product launch at work with many twelve hour days.

If you think this has value, please inform your Christian friends of it.