Mark 8:11-13

It is a dangerous and problematic position to be in when we do not pay attention to the Spirit and Word of God. The Pharisees came to Jesus arguing and leaning into their unbelief. This caused them to approach Jesus while thinking they were in a higher position because of their traditions and religious knowledge and He needed to prove to them that He was from God.

Mark 8:14-20

Even though the disciples had been following Him, they seemed to be just as spiritually dead and unaware as the religious leaders. Jesus tells them to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod. Their spiritual numbness caused them to think only of the physical and worry about their need since they forget to bring bread with them.

The lack of God’s Word and Spirit in our life will lead us to our own established and proud positions and suspicious of anything outside of ourselves. Or it could leave us worrying about our own physical needs and cause us to look for anything that will provide for us at any given moment. Let us always gain more knowledge from God’s Word and follow the leading of the Spirit so we will have more moments to remember the power and trust we have through Jesus (Psalm 103:1-2).