Mark 8:11-21 Focus on the King

8:11-13 Refusing to see. The religious officials are the focus of the first picture in this passage: they refuse to acknowledge that Jesus is the Messiah. They refuse to see what he has done. They have already determined to reject him. 8:14-16 Don’t see. The disciples are not opposed to Jesus, but they are in the same danger of unbelief as the religious officials. The disciples have witnessed many miracles, yet they don’t clearly see and understand who Christ is. 8:17-21 Will you see? The challenge from Jesus is to see him. Not just his signs or miracles, but to understand that the one who does such wonderous works is none other than God himself. The Point: Too often, we are tempted to see only the miracles, or to look at Jesus through the lens of what he can do for us in the here and now, when we should be seeing the one who has the power to work such miracles. We must focus on our King, not just on his power. Prayer: Heavenly Father, keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus. Let us want him for who he is, not just for what he can do. Let us worship him, not his power or his miracles. Teach us to treasure Jesus Christ in all we think, say, and do. Application: In what ways does your faith need correction or recalibration? Are you tempted to follow Jesus for his miracles? Or do you follow him because he is the promised King, the Messiah, God with us? Here is how I will apply these truths: ___________________ __________________________________________________