Jesus Back with the Jews
Jesus leaves the region of the Decapolis and returns to the cities and towns of the Jews. The Pharisees show up again. Jesus warns His disciples against them.
The Pharisees are at it again, as expected. Jesus’ interaction with them is brief, but He warns His disciples against becoming like them. They don’t understand.
We also get to hear, for the first time, Jesus announce what His future holds to His disciples. Again, they don’t understand. Let’s rejoin our story as Jesus and His disciples return to the other side of the sea.
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Holy Spirit, please lead this journey. This is an important time in Jesus’ life. He finally reveals the Father’s plans. Amazing how some only listen with ‘half an ear’.
The days spent with the Gentiles in the Decapolis were amazing! But, it’s time to return home. As Jesus watches the last of the crowd disappearing into the distance, a new group approaches Him. Jesus groans inwardly as He recognizes them; Pharisees.
“Things were so quiet without them hanging around” He says to Himself. He does not let this show on His face though.
“You had quite a crowd here” the leader of the group says.
“We did. And it was wonderful to be able to minister to them in word and deed.”
“These are Gentiles and sinners! Why would You trouble Yourself with them; if You are the promised one of Israel.”
“My Father has many sheep that you don’t know about.”
“Again, You are claiming God as Your Father. If this is so, show us a sign from Heaven and prove it to us that we may believe and worship You.”
Jesus shakes His head and sighs. He KNOWS that they have see plenty of signs, if they would only believe them. He refuses to ‘play their game’.
“When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah” (Matthew 16:2-4).
With this, Jesus turns His back on them and makes His way down to the shore. A boat is moored in the sand. He steps into it and sits down. The disciples snap into action when they see this. There is no need for Him to call them. Within minutes the men are aboard and Andrew pushes off from shore. The Pharisees are left standing alone.
Jesus’ brows are knit together in thought as the boat begins to make its way across the sea. The disciples leave Him alone with his thoughts. After a half hour, Jesus looks back over the water in the direction they came from.
“Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (Matthew 16:6).
Puzzled looks appear on all the disciples faces. Matthew’s eyes grow wide as he believes he has found the answer. “It is because we didn’t bring any bread” (Matthew 16:7).
The other disciples quickly agree. There had been no time to go and buy bread after ministering to the crowd. And they had given the baskets of bread away to those who needed it most. Now they had no bread, and it seems that Jesus wants some.
Jesus, completely saddened by their conclusions, shakes his head. He spreads His arms to encompass all of them. “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (Matthew 16:8-11).
Jesus watches as the light of understanding fills His disciples’ eyes. Then, He watches as shame takes hold for their ignorance. Jesus gives them a small smile before looking back to where they had left. He is thinking about all the people that came to Him. He is thinking about the ‘seed’ planted and the harvest that will eventually come. And how the Pharisees, seeing ten times as much, STILL refuse to accept Him. “It is as it must be, for what is to come” He thinks to Himself.
The rest of the journey is uneventful. John wades ashore and anchors at Bethsaida. Simon hands the boat over to its owner. The owner is a friend of Simon and Andrew as they fished together for years.
“Thank you for the use of your boat. You saved us many days’ travel.”
“Jesus is welcome to it any time He needs it.”
“I’ll be sure to let Him know.”
Jesus and His disciples make their way into the city of Bethsaida. Here they will buy bread and spend the night. As the group makes its way to the house where they will stay, no huge crowds follow them.
Simon keeps looking around, expecting something to pop around the corner and confront them. “It’s too quiet” he thinks to himself.
Simon the Zealot has the same suspicion. He knows how easy it is to attack a person when there isn’t anyone in the streets to stop you. He remains vigilant the whole journey.
Jesus is tired and in need of some private time alone. When they reach the home where they will be staying, Jesus remains long enough to settle His men into their places and greet the host.
“Thank you for your hospitality” Jesus says to the master of the house.
“It is the least we can do for the pleasure of having you in our humble town.”
“I’m not trying to be rude, but I need to spend a little time alone. I will be back before nightfall.”
“We await Your return.”
Simon started to get up to accompany Jesus, just in case He needed protection, but Jesus held out His hand to stay him. “I will be fine. You need to rest as well.”
“But, Mast…”
“No, Simon. I will be perfectly safe by Myself. Do you not think that My Abba can watch after Me by Himself?”
Simon ducks his head. “Yes, Master.”
Jesus leaves the house and slips out into the street without raising a single eyebrow. He makes His way to a solitary spot near the seashore. With a huge sigh, He sinks onto the surface of a nearby boulder.
“Abba, I am weary today. Thank You for the rest You have granted Me as we entered this city. I LOVE serving the people, but today…”
Jesus feels His Abba’s arms envelope Him in peace. “My strength is Yours, My Son. Rest in My arms for a little while.”
Jesus leans back against another boulder which abuts the one He is sitting on and falls asleep. He rests, unobserved for several hours. Finally, He stirs from His sleep.
“Thank You, Abba. I needed that.”
God smiles down on His Son. “My pleasure.” There is an expectant pause before either speak. “The road is going to get harder from here” says the Lord.
“I know” Jesus replies with only a hint of weariness in His voice.
“You know You don’t have to do this.”
“I do.” Jesus hesitates now. “There is no other way. I will walk the path You have laid before Me.”
Jesus feels His Abba’s arms, once again, envelop Him. “I’m proud of You” God whispers in Jesus’ ear.
Jesus stands up and returns to the home where His disciples wait just as the sun dips behind the mountains. He is refreshed again and ready to continue on their mission.
Morning comes and brings with it another direction for Jesus and His disciples to walk. As everyone completes their morning routines, including having breakfast, Jesus tells them of their next destination.
“We are going to Caesarea Philipp. We will leave as soon as everyone has eaten.”
Each of the disciples put a little more speed in their movements and everyone is ready within the hour. Jesus thanks their host for the good food and rest as they set off.
Simon is surprised again to notice that no crowds have gathered. The group easily makes it to the edge of the village before they encounter a small group. This group is bringing one of their friends who is blind to Jesus.
When the two groups get near one another, the group seeking Jesus stops and bows their heads. The only head not bowed is the man who is blind. He does not see what his friends are doing.
Jesus smiles at the group. “What is it you want of Me?”
“Please, Jesus. Our friend is blind. We KNOW that You are able to heal him. We beg of You to have mercy on him and open his eyes.”
Jesus nods and steps forward. “I’m going to take you by the arm” Jesus tells the man.
The man’s face brightens as he feels Jesus’ comforting grip on his arm.
“The rest of you, remain here. We will return shortly.” Jesus makes certain to catch Simon’s eye as He says this.
Simon nods. He will let God watch over His own Son.
Jesus takes the man outside the village. Jesus does the most unusual thing; He spits on the man’s eyes. The man doesn’t recoil at all. Jesus then takes him by the shoulders.
“Do you see anything?” (Mark 8:23) Jesus asks.
The man opens his eyes and looks around him. “I see people, but they look like trees, walking” (Mark 8:24).
Jesus nods, then places his fingertips on the man’s eyes. After a moment, Jesus asked him; “What do you see now?”
“I see EVERYTHING” the man exclaims. He begins scanning the area like a hungry man taking in the dishes set waiting for him on the banquet table.
Jesus smiles and nods. “Return to your home. ‘Do not even enter the village’ (Mark 8:26).”
The man grabs Jesus’ hand with both of his before turning and hurrying off in the direction of his home. Jesus watches for a minute before turning Himself back towards the city.
It is a short walk back. When He arrives, the friends are confused.
“Where is our friend?” they ask.
“You will find him at his home.”
When they hear this, they realize that Jesus has restored their friend’s sight. He would not have been able to find his way home otherwise.
“Thank You Jesus” they call as they hurry off to catch up with their friend.
Jesus and His disciples set off in their own direction. At midday, Jesus calls for a break in their journey. The food for lunch is quickly brought out and everyone settles beside the road for a rest.
As everyone is enjoying their meal, Jesus looks at the group and poses a question.
“Who do people say that I am?” (Mark 8:27).
Matthew speaks first. “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets” (Mark 8:28).
Jesus nods and then looks closely at His disciples. “But who do you say that I am?” (Mark 8:29a).
Without hesitation, Peter answers him, “You are the Christ” (Mark 8:29b). “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16).
Jesus nods. “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:17-19).
Simon Peter’s eyes go wide. This is a HUGE honor!
Before Peter gets too carried away with thoughts of what this means, Jesus sternly warns them all. “You are NOT to tell this to the people. It is imperative that those who come to this understanding, do so by the Lord revealing it to them as well.”
Heads nod around the group. This will be a HARD secret to keep, as it brings great joy to each of the disciples. Jesus is not done though. Because He is the Christ, there are certain things that HAVE to happen. It’s time His disciples know what those things are.
“The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life” (Luke 9:22).
Peter’s eyes go HUGE. He steps over to where Jesus is sitting.
“Master, may I have a word with You in private?”
Jesus stands and follows Peter a few steps away from the rest of the group.
As soon as they were relatively alone, Peter turns to face Jesus. “Never, Lord! This shall never happen to you!” (Matthew 16:22).
Jesus’ eyes narrow and He faces Peter. “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns” (Matthew 16:23).
Peter’s face stings as though Jesus had just struck him. He opens his mouth to say something more, but no words come out.
Jesus turns and take the separating steps back to where those who followed Him sit. He looks at them all as He speaks.
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels” (Luke 9:23-26).
Jesus looks around the group. He purposefully includes Peter in His gaze before going on.
“Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:27).
Peter closes his eyes. “From mountain tops to valleys low in one afternoon. What’s next for you ‘Peter’” he says to himself.
Jesus knows Peter’s hurt, and that there is more to come. He lets him sit with this for a while.
When everyone has finished eating, Jesus stands up. He steps beside Peter and puts a comforting hand on his shoulder. He gives it a gentle squeeze. “It’s time we got going again. Caesarea Philippi isn’t going to come to us.”
Everyone rises to their feet and continues their journey.
(to be continued)
I wonder how Peter felt that day. I put in the ‘mountain tops to valleys low’ feeling myself. I can almost see him sitting and brooding over this. To be praised above all his fellow disciples and then called Satan to his face. I wonder how Peter ‘reframed’ this day in his mind.
There was an evangelist that came to our town often when I was young. He said that “Peter must have had peppermint socks, because he was always putting his foot in his mouth.” I have never forgotten that ‘saying’ and have probably worn a few pair of ‘peppermint socks’ of my own. I’m PRAYING I don’t have to wear too many more of them. But this is the beginning of Peter’s ‘hoof in mouth’ syndrome. Not out of arrogance, but out of love and eventually fear.
I believe that Peter honestly believed that he was Jesus’ protector and would do ANYTHING to keep Him safe. His failures would become his greatest lessons. Ours too, when we allow the Spirit to use them.
Father God, thank You for all the lessons You have brought me through. I KNOW there are MANY more to come. Have YOUR way in my life. Even if it means letting me try out ‘peppermint socks’ from time to time so I can learn something that I would otherwise miss. NOT that I want to be putting my foot in my mouth, but that You will use the times I do, to build Your Kingdom. Let me always be building up instead of tearing down.
