None so blind...
| The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test Him, they asked Him for a sign from heaven. He sighed deeply and said, "Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it." Then He left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side. The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. "Be careful," Jesus warned them. "Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod." (Mark8:11-15) |
Here in chapter 8 the Pharisees travel all the way from Jerusalem to the region of the Decapolis, east and southeast of the Sea of Galilee. It was a predominantly Gentile area and the Pharisees would consider it "unclean."
They travelled a long way, into an area that was not comfortable for them and risked damaging their religious credibility."
Their intention was not friendly either - they were adversarial and their goal was to "test" Him. The Greek word is peirazō is often translated as trial, hardship, test, or even entrapment They demand a "sign from heaven" from Him. Even the feeding of the 4,000 was not enough to satisfy them - they wanted something dramatic - something like a voice or fire from heaven.
Jesus sighs deeply and does not give in to their manipulations.
Whatever He did would not have satisfied them.
Because...
... there are none so blind
... as those who will not see.
Jesus leaves them behind, but their negativity stays with Him.
When the disciples are short of bread it makes Jesus think of yeast.
Just a little yeast spreads through the dough and influences it, the cynicism, negativity and self-righteousness of the Pharisees can spread into other hearts too.
We should be careful too...
The blindness of those who will not see can poison us as well...
Where am I missing the signs of God's work because of pride or cynicism?
When we see people going out of their way to harass, question or test those who are doing good work, then let us beware: their brand of cynical superiority and self-righteousness is both dangerous and infectious.
