"THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

The Savior's Sigh (8:11-13)

INTRODUCTION
  1. Have you ever considered the Lord's reaction to your behavior...
    1. When you refuse to believe in Him?
    2. When you do not follow Him as you should?
  2. In this lesson I want us to think how Jesus must feel...
    1. When we put off obeying the gospel of Christ
    2. When we fail to trust and obey Him in our daily walk

[In our text (Mk 8:11-13) we read of Jesus' response to those who came to test Him. Let's begin by carefully noting...]

  1. THE NARRATIVE
    1. THE PHARISEES' DEMAND A SIGN...
      1. Jesus had just returned to the western shores of Galilee - Mk 8:10
      2. The Pharisees began to dispute with Him - Mk 8:11
        1. They had challenged Jesus before - Mk 2:6-7,16; 3:22; 7:1-2
        2. Matthew adds that they were joined by the Sadducees - Mt 16:1
      3. They demanded a sign - Mk 8:11
        1. A sign from heaven, perhaps like Joshua? - cf. Josh 10:12-14
        2. Had they not seen and heard of the many miracles already done?
        3. They were testing Him, perhaps hoping He would fail and be discredited
    2. JESUS' RESPONSE INVOLVED A SIGH...
      1. He sighed deeply in His spirit - Mk 8:12
        1. The anguish which Jesus experienced came from deep down inside him - Hendriksen
        2. Here the word "spirit" is used in a sense not much different from "heart" or "inner being." - ibid.
      2. Similar responses on other occasions
        1. Grieved by the hardness of their hearts - Mk 3:5
        2. Sighed as He healed the deaf mute - Mk 7:34
        3. Groaned in His spirit seeing the grief of others - Jn 11:33
        4. Wept over the city of Jerusalem - Lk 19:41-44

        [Because of their hard hearts, no sign such as they were demanding would be given them, except His resurrection (Mk 8:12-13; cf. Mt 12:39-40; 16:1-4). Now consider whether Jesus might "sigh deeply in His spirit today...]

  2. THE APPLICATION
    1. JESUS OBSERVES OUR BEHAVIOR...
      1. Just as He observed the behavior of Saul of Tarsus - Ac 9:5
      2. Just as He observed the churches of Asia
        1. He knew their works - Re 2:2,9,13,19; 3:1,8,15
        2. He found fault where it was due - Re 2:4,14,20; 3:2,16
    2. WOULD NOT JESUS SIGH DEEPLY...
      1. When we refuse to obey His gospel, time after time? - cf. Mt 11:28-30
      2. When our conduct is not much different than those of the world? - cf. Mt 5:20
      3. When our love is no different than that displayed by sinners? - cf. Mt 5:44-48
      4. When the kingdom of God is not our priority in life? - cf. Mt 6:33
      5. When tribulation or persecution causes us to stumble? - cf. Mt 13:20-21
      6. When anxiety or materialism makes us unfruitful? - cf. Mt 13:22
      7. When discouragement leads us to abandon prayer? - cf. Lk 18:1
      8. When human traditions displace keeping the commands of God? - cf. Mk 7:7,9
      9. When denominationalism defeats His prayer for unity? - cf. Jn 17:20-21
      10. When love of the world replaces love for His Father? - cf. 1Jn 2:15-17
CONCLUSION
  1. From the Savior's sigh we learn that Jesus cared deeply...
    1. For those He was willing to heal (e.g., the deaf mute)
    2. For those He was willing to save (e.g., the Pharisees)
  2. In similar fashion, Jesus stands ready...
    1. To save us from our sins
    2. To heal us of our souls' diseases

How will Jesus react to our response to Him? Will it be with great joy, or a deep sigh in His spirit...?