Section 70

Section 70
THIRD WITHDRAWAL FROM HEROD'S TERRITORY
Subdivision A
PHARISAIC LEAVEN
 A BLIND MAN HEALED
(Magadan and Bethsaida. Probably Summer, A. D. 29.)
MATT. 15:39-16:12
MARK 8:10-26

The Pharisees and Sadduces argue with Christ, asking for specific signs "to test him." Jesus responds that "an evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign." Mark adds the detail that Jesus "sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign?"

The Bible Knowledge commentary explains the context of their request:

"In Mark, there is a distinction between a miracle (dynamis) and a sign (sēmeion). The former evidences God’s presence and power in Jesus. An appeal for a miracle can be a legitimate expression of one’s faith (e.g., Mar_5:23; Mar_7:26, Mar_7:32). But such an appeal is illegitimate if it arises out of unbelief, as was true of the Pharisees."

"The Pharisees did not demand a spectacular miracle, but that Jesus give unmistakable proof that He and His mission were authorized by God." -BKC

He warns the disciples to beware of the leaven of the Jewish leaders with the result that the disciples misunderstand his comment and think it's about forgetting bread. Jesus corrects their understanding and seems to marvel a bit at their "moral obtuseness," as F.B. Meyer phrases it.

My thought is that this echos back to Jon Courson's comments on the feeding of the 4,000 nicely.  As a people, our tendency is to be ever unbelieving, hanging on the last miracle or working, waiting for the newest new to refresh our faith and perspective.  Both groups were self-interested.

Courson's comment and Meyer's application are both important cautions:

"Signs do not produce faith. They only produce a craving for more signs. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Rom_10:17). How does your faith grow? Not by seeing miracles, but by studying the Word." -Courson

"Let us be quick to read the divine intention in very simple incidents, and to learn that all God’s past dealings contain lessons for the present!" -F.B. Meyer

May we not pursue what is unreasonable and may we see what has already been gifted, granted, right before us.