THESE next two incidents recorded by Mark in chapter 8 are complimentary. They both amplify the teaching of the other.

THE YEAST OF THE PHARISEES (verses 14-21)

The disciples here reveal very human characteristics. They were feeling guilty because they had fallen down on their responsibility, and had forgotten to bring sufficient bread for their company. Because of this, when Jesus spoke about they yeast of the Pharisees, they immediately thought Jesus was referring to this failure.

In fact Jesus was not referring to their need of bread, but he was concerned that the disciples had not learnt from the two miracles of the feeding of the 5000 and the 4000. The disciples should have understood from these that Jesus was able to provide bread if it was in great need. They should have begun to learn that Jesus was at least something greater than just a man, and they should have had their faith in him strengthened by these examples of his power and graciousness to people in their need and failure.

We so often are in this same predicament. We misunderstand Christ's dealings with us. We think he is chasening us by circumstances happening to us when he is not. We are so slow to learn that he is able to deliver us and provide for us, and that he is working all things for our good.

In fact what Jesus was speaking about concerning the yeast of the Pharisees was something spiritual and not earthly, and something of great importance. If we are to understand what Jesus meant clearly, it is helpful to go to the parallel passage in Matthew 16 and particularly verses 6, 12. There is is made plain that Jesus is warning them against the teaching and example of the Pharisees and the Jewish leaders.

False teaching is like yeast. When yeast is added to bread dough in permeates the whole of the dough, and a little yeast makes a huge difference to the whole of the dough. Jesus is warning his disciples that a small error in doctrine is like yeast. It is able to permeate the whole of our thinking and the whole church, so that a small error becomes a big influence in our thinking and lives, and begins to cause error to grow bigger and other truths are effected, until belief become deeply corrupted.

The fact is that this has been proved to be the case all down the history of the church. Some small error creeps into the teaching of the church and is believed, and the result is that this error grows until the whole church is corrupted, and is found to have departed from the truth of the Gospel. This effects the eternal welfare of church members, as they believe that which does not save their souls.

We have only to read the Acts of the Apostles, and read the letters of Paul, Peter and John to see how they were written in the main because of this problem. Small error had been received, and this had begun to corrupt the gospel of Christ, and people were being led away from Christ and salvation. We need to guard against this today, and if we fear yeast of error is present, we need to pray that God will raise up those who by their teaching and preaching and leadership can lead the church back into the way of truth

HEALING THE BLIND MAN (V.22-26)

This incident compliments the message of the previous section. There is no doubt that this unique incident of healing is meant to open up the way of healing in the spiritual realm as well, and show the progress of healing in a soul.

The way Jesus went about this healing is unique. Jesus only acted in this way once as far as we know. We have every evidence that Jesus could and did heal instantaneously, and simply by a word of command. However here he takes this man outside the village. He spits on his eyes, and puts his hands on his eyes, and then asks him what he sees. The reply of the blind man shows that the healing up to this point was partial. The man could see, but his sight was blurred, and people looked like trees. He deduced they were men and not trees because they moved. Then Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes again, and this time the healing was complete and he saw things clearly and plainly.

When we fall sick or have problems and we pray for healing and help, we expect healing to come quickly, and when it does not we get frightened and upset. However we learn from the way that Jesus healed this man, that Jesus will sometimes, for his own good reason for our good, cause his healing and his help to be given over a period of time.

In the spiritual realm our souls need healing from sin and death. Some people are converted and come into the clear light of the gospel in a moment, and rejoice in a clear understanding of what Christ has done for their souls. Others, if not most, find the process of healing unto salvation to be a much more drawn out procedure. We see through a glass darkly. Truth dawns on us slowly. Those of us who minister and teach would like this healing of the soul to be instantaneous and feel frustrated when it does not happen this way. The fact is that we must not despise the day a small things, and rejoice over every signs of growth in faith and life in a soul.

The disciples, as we have seen in the previous section, had great privileges, and should have leapt into faith because of it, but how slow they were to learn and believe. We should not write people off because they seem to be slow in learning, and seem to lack understanding in so many ways that are clear to us.

The fact is that we are learning and growing in understanding and faith all our lives here on earth. Even the best Christians, who seem to understand the most, have still much to learn. Christ works his healing in us all, day by day, measure by measure. The progress in all of us is different. Jesus dealt with Peter in John 21 and Peter began to grow in understanding and peace. When Peter sought to question Jesus about John's progress, Jesus told Peter that was not his business. However it is plain that John's spiritual journey was different, though the end goal of eternal life in heaven was the same.