Mark Reading Plan – W8D2
Week 8 | Day 2 | Mark 8:11-13
Check out all the previous readings here.
Pray
Thank God for something in your life and ask Him to speak to you through your reading and reflection today.
Bible Reading (read these verses three times slowly)
The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.” Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side.
Reflection & Questions
The Pharisees are back on the scene. It was nice not having them around for the last few readings right?! But here they are again with their annoying inauthentic questions for Jesus. This time they are asking for a “sign from heaven.” Now, remember all Jesus has been doing: freeing the demon-possessed, bringing sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, bread to the hungry and we could go on. But the Pharisees aren’t satisfied (unlike the Gentiles yesterday). They say they want a sign “from heaven.” Something like when the bread fell from the sky in Exodus, or when the sun stood still for Joshua. But, Jesus isn’t taking the bait. Instead, “he sighed deeply,” gave them no sign, and he simply left. It wasn’t that Jesus couldn’t, it was that He knew it would make no difference – their hearts weren’t going to trust Him. How we must be careful in our faith, not to keep pushing for more and more signs of God’s care for us. A mature faith is a faith that trusts God, rather than keeps testing Him.
- What do you think is the difference in heart between the Pharisees who are never satisfied and the Gentiles yesterday who were satisfied?
- Are you satisfied that Jesus is who He says He is or are you still seeking more signs?
Pray
Spend time confessing your sins to God and asking Him to cleanse your heart.
Worship Song
You could use this worship song to worship your Good Father today.
Bible Reading
The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.” Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side.
Reflection and Questions
The Pharisees are back in the picture. It was nice not having them around for the last few readings right?! But here they are again with their annoying questions for Jesus, that they only ask to try to trick Him. This time they are asking for a “sign from heaven.” Now, remember all Jesus has been doing: bringing sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, bread to the hungry, and there’s so much more! But the Pharisees aren’t satisfied. They say they want a sign “from heaven.” But, Jesus isn’t taking the bait. Instead, “he sighed deeply,” gave them no sign, and he just left. It wasn’t that Jesus couldn’t, it was that He knew it would make no difference – their hearts weren’t going to trust Him. Do you ever ask for signs from heaven, so that Jesus can prove to you that He’s real? If you do, maybe you need to trust in Jesus a bit more, and remember that He loves you and that He’s here for you!
- Do you trust that Jesus is who He says He is? Or are you still looking for more signs?
Prayer
Pray and talk to Jesus about trusting Him more in your life.
Bible Reading
The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.” Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side.
Devo Focus
He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it. Vs. 12
Devo
You can practically picture Jesus with a big ol’ eyeroll right here! The Pharisees are back on the scene. It was nice not having them around for the last few readings right?! But here they are again with their annoying inauthentic questions for Jesus. This time they are asking for a “sign from heaven.” Now, remember all Jesus has been doing: freeing the demon-possessed, bringing sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, bread to the hungry and we could go on. But the Pharisees aren’t satisfied (unlike the Gentiles yesterday). They say they want a sign “from heaven.” Something like when the bread fell from the sky in Exodus, or when the sun stood still for Joshua. But, Jesus isn’t taking the bait. Instead, “he sighed deeply,” gave them no sign, and he simply left. It wasn’t that Jesus couldn’t, it was that He knew it would make no difference – their hearts weren’t going to trust Him. How we must be careful in our faith, not to keep pushing for more and more signs of God’s care for us. A mature faith is a faith that trusts God, rather than keeps testing Him.
- What do you think is the difference in heart between the Pharisees who are never satisfied and the Gentiles yesterday who were satisfied?
- Are you satisfied that Jesus is who He says He is or are you still seeking more signs?
Prayer
Pray in response to today’s reading.
