Jesus' Sorrow

Jesus’ Sorrow

“And he said to them, ‘Do you not yet understand?’” (Mark 8:21)

In the face of such an outpouring of power, it is not surprising to see Jesus’ sorrow at the ignorance and unbelief He encountered in Mark 8:11-21.  How much sorrow is caused to the Lord Jesus by unbelief!  But what was worse for Him was the ignorance and unbelief of His own disciples (vv.14-16). This spiritual dullness unleashed a barrage of questions from Jesus unlike anything else in the four gospels. (vv. 17-18)

Jesus’ pain and indignation came because the disciples were so slow and dull-witted. They failed to make use of the many blessings that God had given them; they failed to respond in faith to the signs Jesus had shown them.  And why was that?  Jesus said their minds were taken up with material things; all that was on their minds was the next meal.  They did not see beyond that because they would not see what they had been given.

But there is a cure, says Jesus, “Do you not remember?” (v.18).  Think on the things you have seen Me do and say; open your eyes to my power; open your ears to My word.  Open your hearts to believe…

Meditation: Has my dull witted spirit caused Jesus sorrow?

Further Reading: Mark 8:1-21