MARK 7:31-8:10 Lesson 17
THE COMPASSION OF GOD
I. Greetings:
II. Introduction: In most cases, a gentle approach seems best. Today in America it is called being nice. If we are not harsh, speak kindly, and can be easily moved to say words that express our feelings of pity then we are considered “nice” people. In the Gospels, Jesus was not always nice, but He was compassionate. His compassion was more than words, feelings, or a commitment to never hurting someone’s feelings. He was after something that was much more valuable. What He was after was much deeper, much greater.
It is possible to observe the amazing and yet practical compassion that He had. Let us begin.
III. Compassion with An Individual and Its Effects: Mark 7:31-37.
>>>> Have someone read Mark 7:31-35.
Q How was Jesus compassionate in His action?
An = Jesus showed compassion on this individual by taking him aside privately: 1) perhaps not to embarrass him because he was deaf. 2) Also, perhaps it allowed Jesus to identify more personally with the man by getting him out of the glare of the crowd. It might have been hard for this man to focus with all the people looking at him.
Q How many of you have friends you want Jesus to bless?
An = What are their names? Write their names down in your notes or Bible right now.
Q What form should that blessing take in your understanding?
An = Write that down.
Q What could we do that is similar to the people in this situation? How would you get one of your friends in the presence of Jesus?
An = We can begin to pray for them. We can bring them to someone we believe has the presence of Jesus more powerfully in them such as a godly relative, church friend, or religious leader.
Note: Jesus took time to personally interact with the person. This deaf person was a human, not a mere client or spiritual case to be dealt with. He put His fingers in the man’s ears perhaps to show him symbolically that He was going to deal with (heal) the man’s ears. Then He put His spit in this man’s mouth to symbolize, no doubt, the same thing. Spittle was understood both in Jewish and Hellenistic culture to be an important curative force. (Before you laugh at their ideas in the ancient world, remember what happened the last time you hit your finger with a hammer, burned it on a stove: where did you put your finger?)
The important issue is Jesus was talking in this man’s language; He was using symbolic language the man could understand. He was identifying with this man on his own level. Love must be practical, and it often must be physically demonstrated.
Notice Jesus never told the man that He loved him.
Q Could Jesus’ actions then be hints of what He will do today?
Q If you truly got your friends in His presence what would Jesus do with them?
>>>> Have someone read Mark 7:36.
Note: By now these are familiar words: “Tell no one”. Ever notice how much we want recognition for the money we give or the service actions we do. Jesus was different. Jesus’ motives were often different from our motives. We want and often crave affirmation for our acts of kindness, while Jesus had other goals. >>>> Read to them Matthew 6:1-4. Do not let church convention rob you of eternal glory!! Jesus would counsel us to give and say nothing and to serve and do our best and o not expect proper credit.
>>>> Have someone read Mark 7:37.
Note: The people were astonished. Perhaps they expected Jesus to only bless, not heal (Lane, p. 266) – but maybe Jesus will do more than we expect today!
Note: They praised Him. Have two different people read the following texts to the audience:
>>>> Have someone read Genesis 1:31
>>>> Have someone read Isaiah 35:5, 6, 10
Note: Many good men, and some not so-good men, will tell you Jesus was only a man. Constantly, throughout the Gospels we have seen allusions to Jesus that point to His deity. Jesus was acting quite like His Father in both His character and in His displays of power!
********************************************************************************* You can decide if time allows use of this section or you can just skip it.
Note: We are finishing a unit (chapters 6-7) in Mark’s gospel. Perhaps, since miracles are signs of God’s power being in Jesus, the phrase spoken by Jesus “Be opened” may be tied back to the words, “If any man has ears to hear let him hear” (6:52, 7:16, 7:18). Jesus wanted this man to be able to physically hear, but also to have “opened” his capacity to be open to what was happening in the actions and words of Jesus.
Note: Also, most scholars see a pattern to 6:31-7:37 that is repeated in chapter 8.
6:31-44 Feeding of the Multitude 8:1-9
6:45-56 Crossing of the Sea and Landing 8:10
7:1-23 Conflict with the Pharisees 8:11-13
7:24-30 Conversation about Bread 8:14-21
7:31-36 Healing 8:22-26
7:37 Confession of Faith 8:27-30
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IV. Compassion on the Multitude: Mark 8:1-10.
>>>> Have someone read Mark 8:1-3.
Q Why did Jesus decide to feed them?
An = because He had compassion on them. The people were fasting because they had stayed with Him. Maybe some of them had run out of provisions and did without food because they were so enthralled to be around Jesus. Notice how practical His compassion was.
Note: Jesus was often so different from many religious or political leaders in His consideration of a crowd or an audience. He thought of His audience. Some leaders are often so happy they have an audience or are enchanted with the fact that the audience are enchanted with them, they do not think to consider the practical needs of the audience after the meeting.
>>>> Have someone read Mark 8:4-10.
Q With what tone of voice do you think the disciples asked their question in 8:4?
An = It could have been one of sarcasm but most likely one of frustration. Jesus was always pushing them beyond where they wanted to go.
Q Why did Jesus ask the question in verse 5?
An = to make them get involved. He wanted to move the disciples beyond being exasperated with what they did not have, but asked them to help with whatever they did have (seven measly loaves in this case). You will be surprised what God will do with our pitiful resources. I often think of the needs of our community and our inadequate resources, but if we start with what we have….
Note: They passed out the food. The disciples were to be the actual hands that fed a hungry and needy crowd. It was their actions, but not the disciples’ power that actually fed the crowd. It was His power and His power only!
Note: What is helpful to remember is that He wants to love us individually, and love those we love individually. We need to bring those we love who are in need to Jesus. He has not changed. He is the same today, yesterday and forever.
Note: Lastly, He wants us involved, even though it is really His power that will truly minister to the needs of the crowds.
V. Conclusion: >> Read Isaiah 29:18-19.[:]