A Need to Know Basis – Mark 8

Plan Name (Maxium 50 Characters or less):	A Sheep’s PrayerWhy does God reveal his truth only on a need to know basis?
Plan Length(3 days minimum):	3 days
Author/Publisher	Arun Durairaj
Plan Description(What the plan is about, how it will benefit the reader, 70 words of less)	Often we wonder why God’s Will remains hidden.  Why does it feel like we are stumbling around in the dark?   God chooses to reveal his plan in fragments.  Allowing us to live life with only partial truths.   This study of Mark 8 will help you discover his reason for this…It does not promise new truth, but new faith.

PLAN CONTENT

DAY 1

Title (Not required): Signs

Bible Reference(s): Mark 8:1-21

Devotional Content: 

Mark 8: 1-21

Jesus had just fed the 4000. Turned seven loaves of bread into enough to feed 4000 and with 7 baskets left over! A pretty amazing miracle by most standards.

Right after that, Mark writes that the Pharisees asked for a sign from heaven, but Jesus said that no sign shall be given.

He had just fed 4000 with 7 loaves of bread, but then he said no sign shall be given? Wasn’t the miracle enough of a sign?

Don’t be so hard on the Pharisees. Immediately after this, Mark shows how even the disciples had forgotten the feeding of the 4000. They had forgotten the sign that was given.

If you are still waiting for God to reveal signs of who he is, stop! Most likely he has already shown you but you didn’t notice or wrote them off as in the past. His presence is visible all over our lives.

Look to the past for assurance of who God is. Otherwise, you are no different than the Pharisees waiting for a sign from heaven which you actually don’t believe will come.

DAY 2

Title (Not required): I See Trees

Bible Reference(s): Mark 8:22-30

Devotional Content: 

Mark 8:22-30
Jesus took two attempts to heal the blind man. In the first attempt, the blind man could partially see. Again, Jesus touched him. This time he was healed fully. Strange how Jesus took two attempts. Jesus then asks what people are saying about him. They were saying he was a prophet. They could partially see the truth. Jesus asked Peter for a better answer. Peter was able to see more clearly.

These two parallel stories illustrate how, first, God enables us to see only in part. Later and when we are ready, God will reveal in full. God reveals himself and his plans on a need-to-know basis.

The reason he only reveals in part is the strength of our faith. If God were to reveal all his plans right now, our faith would be shattered. The more we know of his plans, the more we take those plans into our own hands. Our faith may not yet be strong enough to choose him in every situation.

However, faith is a muscle. It is worked out through every step in faith we take. The stronger it grows, the more it can resist our human nature of distrust and fear.

If you are seeking God’s will, don’t pray only for his will to be revealed. Pray for your faith to be strong enough to take the step forward, even when his will is not yet fully revealed.

DAY 3

Title (Not required): The Big Picture

Bible Reference(s): Mark 8:31-38

Devotional Content: 

This passage contains some of the most difficult sayings of Christ.  In the first half, Christ is describing the torturous road he must take.  In the second half, he is challenging all to follow him.  

When Jesus was describing his path to the cross, he described it plainly (vv. 32).  Up until now, all of Mark 8 has shown us that the full picture may not yet be revealed.  Now, Jesus is revealing all of his plan to the disciples.  They couldn’t accept it.  Peter even attempted to change the plan.

To the entire crowd, he challenges all to deny…themselves…their lives…all that the world has to offer.  This is the price for our souls.  This is the price for following Christ.

Do you see the path Christ has laid out before you?  Are you afraid to follow him down it?  

If so, Jesus is speaking to all of us when he told his disciples, “Get behind me, Satan!” (vv. 33)  Our mind is still fixed on the interests of man.

LORD, I pray that you present the signs of who you are in my life.  I pray that you prepare my heart for the fullness of your plan.  I pray that you provide the courage to follow you wherever you may lead.  Amen.