The Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod

Mark For Everyone

MARK 8.11–21
The Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod...

...Think of your schooldays. What was your worst subject – the one you always dreaded, the one you longed to give up? Now try (if the memory isn’t too painful) to remember what it was like sitting in a desk with the teacher trying to explain something to you for the twentieth or thirtieth time. Teachers have a particular type of sorrowful look when they have said something as clearly as they can, over and over again, and the pupil still doesn’t get it. I think Jesus had that look on his face at the end of this conversation in the boat.

What’s more, he knew it was important that they learn the lesson sooner rather than later. Things were hotting up. Right on cue, the Pharisees appear and ask for a sign – as though what Jesus had just been doing wasn’t a substantial sign in itself. What sort of a sign are they wanting? What does Jesus read into it...

Taken from Mark for Everyone by Tom Wright