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.” 13 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.” 17 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? 19 “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?”

– Mark 8:11-21 (NKJV)

Yesterday we read about Jesus feeding the 4000 with a few loaves and fish. He remembered that he did something similar with a crowd of 5000 back in Mark 6. So now here, soon after feeding the crowd he gets in a boat with His disciples and heads across the lake. They land and are immediately met with a group of religious leaders demanding a sign.

It’s important that we pause here and reflect. For anyone serious about seeing if Jesus were the Messiah or not, there were already plenty of signs. Jesus had fulfilled prophecy, healed people, fed massive crowds on a few loaves and some fish, and even taught in the synagogues. But these leaders were still looking for a sign. A sign not to believe him, not to follow him, but a sign to test him.

Jesus responds that their won’t be a sign and hops back in the boat with the disciples and they head off on the lake again. While in transit Jesus mutters, “beware the leaven of the Pharisees” (religious leaders). The disciples think it’s a backhanded rebuke for forgetting to bring the bread. Jesus reminds the that he fed the 5000 and 4000 with just a few loaves of bread and fish. We discussed about how gracious Jesus is to be patient with us. We often have to have repeat lessons to learn things of faith. It doesn’t always come easy.

In this passage, Jesus doesn’t want bread, he wants them to be aware that the kind of doubt that is constantly looking for a sign (though plenty are evident) is both dangerous and contagious. The truth is, it wouldn’t matter how many signs Jesus did for the Pharisees, they had already decided in their hearts.

I’ve heard apologist Frank Turek answer several questions from a skeptical audience. Someone will often ask a difficult question and Frank will say something like, “I’ll address your questions in just a moment, but before we get into it I want to know… If I prove to you Christianity is true, will you give your life to Jesus?” It surprises me how many he has asked that to and how many say, “no.” In essence they have already made up their mind, no amount of proof will change it.

The point is when you already know the will of God you should do it. This kind of religious disobedience on the part of the Pharisees was contagious and dangerous. They claimed they wanted more signs to know that Jesus was who he said he was, but they already had plenty.

It’s not as thought Jesus asks us to follow him blindly, he has proven himself over and over, but there comes a point where it is absurd to say you are holding out for more signs.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Thank you for grace that you pour out on your people. Help us to see, know, and do your will. Let us not be deceived when what you are doing is plain to see. Give us discernment, and when we have it, give us boldness to act for your kingdom and your glory! Show us your will. Please guide us in every direction we should go and decision we make. In Jesus Name, Amen.