Friday 12 February 2016

Psalm: Psalm 34:11-22

Background

The Pharisees were a powerful pressure group in the 1st century.Their aim was to purify Judaism by a strict and careful keeping ofthe Jewish law. They put their trust in their accurateunderstanding of the law. They thought that Jesus was not strictenough in his interpretation of law. They wanted him to produce asign to show that he had God's authority to say the things hesaid.

Just before this passage Jesus has fed 4,000 people with 7 loaves. This was in fact avery strong sign, showing Jesus' authority, because he had God'spower to do these things. Jesus' sense of sadness and frustrationis shown in his sighing deeply in his spirit (verse 12). He musthave been tempted to be very discouraged.

Jesus did not focus, on this occasion, on the Pharisees andtrying to win the argument. Instead he tried to help his disciplesunderstand his teaching. Perhaps Jesus realised that they had morechance of understanding him because they were living their lives ina relationship with him. On this occasion the disciples had broughtonly one loaf of bread with them for the boat journey, which wasnot enough to feed them all. The conversation again seemed to be onwhere to find food.

Bread and journey are strong symbols connecting to the ancientflight of the Israelites from slavery to Egypt. The Israelites hadlet Egypt in a hurry and had had to leave the bread they tookunleavened, flat not risen (Exodus12:34). There was not enough time to let it rise. Jesus seemedto suggest that the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod will slowdown and destroy Jesus' ministry of bringing freedom to theoppressed (verse 15). Perhaps this is why he didn't stop to arguewith the Pharisees.

Jesus became even more frustrated with the disciples becausealthough his miraculous ministry was happening around them, andthey were participating in it, they did not fully or reallyunderstand. They had eyes but didn't see; ears but didn't hear. Hereminded them of the miracles of the feeding miracles andchallenged them to understand.

Jesus then healed a man who was blind (verses 22-25). Thehealing took two stages. After the first stage he could seepartially, and then finally he could see clearly. Just as thedisciples could see partially, they would eventually be able to seeclearly.

To Ponder

• We have a danger in our society of consuming one experienceafter another without much reflection. When do you take time out tothink about the significance of the things that are happeningaround you? Try to find some time in the next day or so to dothis.

• Why do you think the disciples were so slow to appreciate thesignificance of the teaching of Jesus? How far do you think you arelike (or not like) them?

• Why do you think bread is such an important religious symbol?What does it mean to you, and is there a similar symbol which isdifferent but more powerful for you? Why?