‏ Mark 8

* Four thousand fed by a miracle. (1-10) Christ cautions against

the Pharisees and Herodians. (11-21) A blind man healed. (22-26)

Peter's testimony to Christ. (27-33) Christ must be followed.

(34-38)

1-10 Our Lord Jesus encouraged the meanest to come to him for

life and grace. Christ knows and considers our frames. The

bounty of Christ is always ready; to show that, he repeated this

miracle. His favours are renewed, as our wants and necessities

are. And those need not fear want, who have Christ to live upon

by faith, and do so with thanksgiving. 11-21 Obstinate unbelief will have something to say, though

ever so unreasonable. Christ refused to answer their demand. If

they will not be convinced, they shall not. Alas! what cause we

have to lament for those around us, who destroy themselves and

others by their perverse and obstinate unbelief, and enmity to

the gospel! When we forget the works of God, and distrust him,

we should chide ourselves severely, as Christ here reproves his

disciples. How is it that we so often mistake his meaning,

disregard his warnings, and distrust his providence? 22-26 Here is a blind man brought to Christ by his friends.

Therein appeared the faith of those that brought him. If those

who are spiritually blind, do not pray for themselves, yet their

friends and relations should pray for them, that Christ would be

pleased to touch them. The cure was wrought gradually, which was

not usual in our Lord's miracles. Christ showed in what method

those commonly are healed by his grace, who by nature are

spiritually blind. At first, their knowledge is confused; but,

like the light of the morning, it shines more and more to the

perfect day, and then they see all things clearly. Slighting

Christ's favours is forfeiting them; and he will make those who

do so know the worth of privileges by the want of them. 27-33 These things are written, that we may believe that Jesus

is the Christ, the Son of God. These miracles of our Lord assure

us that he was not conquered, but a Conqueror. Now the disciples

are convinced that Jesus is the Christ; they may bear to hear of

his sufferings, of which Christ here begins to give them notice.

He sees that amiss in what we say and do, of which we ourselves

are not aware, and knows what manner of spirit we are of, when

we ourselves do not. The wisdom of man is folly, when it

pretends to limit the Divine counsels. Peter did not rightly

understand the nature of Christ's kingdom. 34-38 Frequent notice is taken of the great flocking there was

to Christ for help in various cases. All are concerned to know

this, if they expect him to heal their souls. They must not

indulge the ease of the body. As the happiness of heaven with

Christ, is enough to make up for the loss of life itself for

him, so the gain of all the world in sin, will not make up for

the ruin of the soul by sin. And there is a day coming, when the

cause of Christ will appear as glorious, as some now think it

mean and contemptible. May we think of that season, and view

every earthly object as we shall do at that great day.