Mark 8:9-10 About four thousand were present. After he had sent them away, he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.
Verse 12 really stands out to me in today’s verses. Jesus, sighing deeply, refusing to give a sign to the Pharisees, refusing to prove Himself to them. That deep, weary, frustrated sigh….I get it. Not that I am equating myself with Jesus. Not that I understand anything on His level. But I know the frustration of doing everything in my power to prove that I care, that I have students’ best interests at heart, that I want them to think and to discuss, that this is *not* the same old English class.
Mark 8:11 The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven.
And still I have that kid, those kids, who refuse to engage, who refuse to think, who say things like, “I was just talking to my friend about how we will never use anything in this poem after this class” because he hasn’t even bothered to see that the poem is about so much more than what’s on the surface. I know the weary sigh, expressing that the student is missing the very point that I am trying to get him to understand.
Mark 8:12 He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.”
Precious Savior, Your thoughts are higher than my thoughts. Your ways are far beyond anything that I can imagine (Is 55:8). Thank You. Help me to be more like You in my thoughts, my words, my attitude. Help me to spend time with You and reconnect with You, especially when I deal with life’s frustrations. Help me to keep fighting the good fight, even when all I can do is sigh deeply and move on. Help me, Jesus. Amen.
Mark 8:13 Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side.
Have a blessed day.