Chapel Recap: Seeing Jesus Clearly

Today in chapel, Dr. Thomas White brought us through Mark 8, centered on one powerful theme: Seeing clearly means serving the Jesus we need, not the Jesus we want.

Dr. White structured his message around a series of contrasts found throughout the chapter, each revealing how easy it is to misunderstand Jesus even while being close to Him.

First, verses 1–10 describe provision without perception. The disciples witnessed Jesus miraculously feed thousands, yet they still struggled to understand who He truly was. “We can see God provide,” Dr. White explained, “but fail to perceive that He is the ultimate Provider.” Seeing miracles does not automatically produce spiritual clarity.

Next, verses 11–13 reveal religion without recognition. The Pharisees demanded a sign, not because they lacked evidence, but because they lacked belief. “You can have religion,” Dr. White warned, “and not recognize who Jesus really is.”

In verses 14–26, Dr. White pointed to discipleship without discernment. The disciples were physically near Jesus but spiritually confused and in need of corrected vision. This section culminates in Jesus healing a blind man in stages — a living illustration of how spiritual sight often develops gradually.

Verses 27–33 feature confession without comprehension. Peter correctly confessed Jesus as the Christ yet immediately rejected the idea of a suffering Messiah. Knowing the right answer about Jesus does not mean we fully understand His mission.

That misunderstanding leads to the heart of the chapter in verses 34–38: no crown without a cross. Jesus identifies that following Him requires self-denial and sacrifice. “Discipleship,” Dr. White said, “is the willingness to lose your life for the sake of the Gospel.”

Finally, Dr. White pointed ahead to the beginning of Mark 9, offering a glimpse of glory. Though suffering is real and unavoidable, it is not the end. “The Messiah must suffer,” Dr. White said, “and if you follow Him, you will suffer too.” Yet that suffering is framed by future glory, giving us hope and endurance through this present life.

Today in chapel, Dr. Thomas White continued his sermon series in the Gospel of Mark, covering chapter seven. The main idea was, “Transformation comes from a new heart, not new habits.” Dr. White addressed the legalism seen in the Pharisees and other religious leaders in the passage and compared it to the legalism found in our own hearts.

Hypocritical Religious Works (7:1–13)

First, Dr. White walked through how the laws that the religious leaders were opposing the laws given by God. They were placing their manmade laws level with Scripture and sometimes even above it. Jesus called them out on their sin, bringing to light the hypocrisy and judgement that these leaders had brought into their faith.

Dr. White says that “we are to be people of the Book. We are not to look to the traditions of man to follow God.” He encouraged listeners to think about their personal preferences versus biblical mandates and what their heart posture is about both.

The Heart of the Problem (7:14–23)

Dr. White called to attention the heart posture of this legalism, addressing how sin runs deep in our lives. According to Jeremiah 17:9, all hearts are deceitful and evil, and this is the root of all of our shortcomings. There is nothing that we can do to fix ourselves; no mandates, spiritual disciplines, or hard work can cure our sick hearts.

However, placing our trust in Christ frees us from our sinful ways. Dr. White encouraged listeners to dwell on the words of Psalm 51: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Jesus is the only true solution to our sin nature.

The Healing of the Savior (7:24–27)

The final section of the sermon addressed the healing power of Christ against legalism and calloused hearts. Dr. White pointed out that Jesus commended the faith of the woman in verses 24–30 — this was significant because she was the only Gentile present. The religious leaders were not happy about this, which further revealed their heart posture and how hardened they had become due to their strict legalism.

To close, Dr. White further emphasized how Jesus’ forgiveness is the only way for us to be saved from our evil hearts. No number of rules will save us; we need the cleansing blood of Christ to cover our sins and create clean hearts within us.

Sometimes, it seems like we wake up to a new problem or challenge every day. We become anxious about our circumstances, forgetting everything Jesus has done for us in the past. But in Mark 6:30–56, we see that Jesus is enough.

Satisfying Our Hunger

Have you ever waited in excited expectation of something, only to be disappointed when it doesn’t go your way? In verses 30–44, the disciples were likely looking forward to spending time alone with Jesus, but their plan was ruined when a large crowd of people followed them.

When they asked Jesus to send these people away, they had good intentions, understanding that there genuinely wasn’t enough for everybody to eat. In response, Jesus told them to feed them all — a seemingly impossible task. Have you ever believed that you just can’t possibly do something God has called you to do?

The disciples found five loaves and two fish. In John’s version of the story, we are told that they belonged to a young boy. He didn’t have enough, but he had something. He brought his meager resources and set them before Jesus, who did great things with them because He is enough. He does the same with the small contributions we have to offer Him.

The feast with Jesus left everyone satisfied. At the end, Jesus left twelve baskets full: perhaps one for each disciple, to remind them that He is enough.

Calming Our Fears

When Jesus told His disciples to get in the boat, they obeyed and went in the direction He instructed. When we obey Him, we can face difficulty. Yet, He still calls us to obey.

When the disciples saw Jesus walking on water, they were terrified. What Jesus communicated in verse 50 was, “Take heart; I Am.” This was a reference to Exodus 3. Jesus comforted them with His name and His character.

In John’s version of the story, we find that Peter stepped out of the boat to join Jesus on the waves. How many of us would do that? Would we be so afraid to fail that we wouldn’t even try? We have no need to fear that. Your failures do not define you; your relationship with Jesus does. Get back up and keep following Him!

Healing Our Brokenness

Although the disciples had been headed to Bethsaida, they ended up in Gennesaret instead. Sometimes, we think we’re headed to one place when Christ is really going to take us somewhere else. When He redirected their path, they hadn’t failed. They’d gone exactly where He wanted them to go.

When they got out of the boat, He went around healing the sick. When people even touched the fringe of His garment, they were made well. This is what Jesus does for us.

Jesus’s compassion is enough to satisfy our hunger. His power is enough to calm our fears. And His mercy is enough to heal our brokenness. Let us lean into Him, remembering that He truly is enough!

In Mark 6:1–29, we are challenged to be faithful in the face of unbelief.

Scorned in the Synagogue (1–6)

Upon coming home to Nazareth, Jesus found the people of His hometown skeptical. They insulted him and wanted nothing to do with Him, and Jesus was amazed at their unbelief. We, too, will face the unbelief of our family and friends, and we must decide to be faithful despite it.

We also must evaluate whether we ourselves are too familiar with the Gospel. Often, when we read passages about amazing miracles, we have heard it so many times that we tune it out — we need to be amazed at what the Bible says! The Creator of the universe humbled Himself to come down to earth, experience rejection, and die for us. This is astounding, and yet we’re more interested in watching the next Instagram reel than in getting to know Him better! If we continue in this pattern, we will not be changed by the Gospel in the way that we should be.

Sent to Serve (7–13)

Jesus sent out His disciples even though He knew they would mess up. Jesus is just looking for willing vessels. You don’t need to have all the answers or a special degree. Be willing to be sent to serve others. When you’re able to do something amazing, don’t get prideful, and when you’re confronted with hostility, don’t let it bother you. They reject you because they reject Christ. Be faithful in the face of unbelief.

Slain for Speaking Truth (14–29)

John the Baptist was killed because he spoke out against Herod’s unlawful actions. He condemned Herod’s sinful behavior even though Herod was not a Jew or a Christian. In the same way, it is okay for us to speak out against things that are wrong in our secular society.

Herod’s heart was full of unbelief. He heard the Gospel gladly, and his conscience was pricked. He seemed close to the Kingdom, but he refused to accept the truth of the Gospel. He did not respond to the conviction in his conscience when he had the chance, causing it to become so calloused that his heart hardened. In Luke, we are told that Herod eventually met Jesus. But standing face to face with the Savior, he was lost for all eternity.

Application

• Have you counted the cost of discipleship? If you speak truth, you could lose your life.

• Are you too familiar with the Gospel? Be sensitive and respond when the Lord pricks your conscience.

• Will you be a Herod or a John? Herod wore rich robes, ate large meals, and lived in a palace. He had everything in this life, but nothing in the next. John wore strange clothes, ate grasshoppers, and was imprisoned. He had nothing in this life except for a clean conscience, but in the next, he had everything.

Let us be amazed by the Gospel, and may Jesus never be amazed at our unbelief!

When we encounter times of hardship, we can find ourselves feeling hopeless and afraid. In Mark 4:35–5:43, several stories demonstrate that faith overcomes fear when our hope is in Jesus.

Jesus Conquers Danger

The first story tells what happened when Jesus and His disciples were on a boat in the middle of a storm. Waves crashed, strong winds blew, and water was filling the boat. In great fear, the disciples asked Jesus if He even cared. This question was absurd — the God of the universe voluntarily became a baby, came down to earth, and went to a cross to die for us. We can be confident that He cares about us.

The wind and the waves did not gradually become still like they naturally would; they were immediately calm at Jesus’s words of rebuke. Through this miracle, He showed that He controls not only the wind and the waves but also the laws of nature.

Jesus Conquers Demons

The second story tells of a demon-possessed man who was sent into isolation because he could not be controlled. He was not only isolated from society but also tormented by the voices inside his head. He cried out in anguish and cut himself with stones. The devil wants you to harm and destroy yourself. He wants to be the voice in your head that’s driving you crazy. Jesus showed this man how much He cared by casting the demons into the pigs.

Rather than wanting to know more about Jesus after seeing this incredible display of power, the townspeople wanted nothing to do with Him. They didn’t want to inconvenience their comfortable lives, so they turned Him away. Do you desire comfort and control of your own life more than an encounter with the Savior?

Jesus Conquers Disease

Being desperate with no other options left, Jairus begged Jesus to come heal his daughter. On the way, they met a woman who had suffered with a discharge of blood for twelve years, causing her to be unclean and alone. She touched Jesus’s garment and was healed. Jesus told her that her faith in Him was what had made her well. We have been saved by grace alone through faith alone.

Jesus Conquers Death

After this, Jairus received the news that his daughter was dead. In his hopelessness, Jesus spoke these words to him: “Do not fear; only believe.” You will need these words at some point in your life too. Take them to heart and drive their roots deep.

The Lord of wind, waves, demons, and disease demonstrated that He is also the Lord of death and life. He continued to Jairus’s home, took the girl by the hand, and raised her into life.

There will be a moment when you experience hopelessness and fear in your life. You must speak truth to yourself, combatting lies with the words of Scripture. You must have faith and hope in Jesus.

Who is this Man? This is the Son of God! Live your life for Him!

Mark 4:1–34 is all about listening and hearing. It explains that the Kingdom multiplies through hearts that receptively hear and faithfully sow.

Hear the Word

In verses 1–20, Jesus describes how four different types of hearts respond to hearing the Word. When the Word is sown in a hard heart, the person denies the Gospel because evil things snatch the Word away. The hard heart is represented by a seed that is dropped on a path and is snatched away by the birds.

When the Word is sown in a shallow heart, the person initially seems to be on fire for God, but they have no real root, so their faith soon dies out. The shallow heart is represented by a seed that grows at first, but withers away when the sun rises.

When the Word is sown in a crowded heart, it is choked out by the cares of the world. Examples are social media, pressure to excel academically, and fear of missing out. These are not necessarily entirely bad things, but they become so when they choke out our faith. The Word is also choked out by the deceitfulness of riches. Money is morally neutral, but if we aren’t careful, we can become enslaved to it and buy into wealth’s lies. The crowded heart is represented by a seed who is choked out by thorns.

Finally, the receptive heart accepts the Word when it is sown, and the person bears fruit. It is represented by a seed that falls into good soil and produces grain.

Share the Word

In verses 21–25, Jesus talks about letting our light shine rather than hiding it, so that others may give glory to God. We share the Word not only with our words but also with our lives as we generously invest in our families and churches.

Trust in the Word

In verses 26–29, Jesus talks about Gospel ministry. As we share the Word with others, it takes root in some hearts and not others. We don’t understand why, but God does, and we need to trust His Word to work. It’s our job to sow; we don’t have to worry about the growth.

Hope in the Word

In verses 30–34, Jesus explains that the Kingdom started small, with a little baby born in Bethlehem. This small seed planted will grow. It is so strong that the gates of hell will not prevail against it. It will go to the ends of the earth, and one day every nation will bow down and confess Jesus is Lord.

Application

We must fight to avoid the shallow heart and the crowded heart. We can do this by listening to the Word, meditating on the Word, memorizing the Word, and fasting from our distractions.

He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Lord is saying to him!

In Mark 3:7–35, Jesus demonstrated that whoever does the will of God is part of the family of God. This is not referring to a works-based salvation — doing the will of God means we repent of our sins and put our faith in Jesus. This leads to works that confirm that we have been saved by grace alone through faith alone.

Seek the Messiah and Not Just Miracles

In verses 7–12, the crowd was desperate to get near Jesus, but they didn’t actually know who He was. They were close to Him physically but very far from Him spiritually. Is this you? You can attend church regularly and be part of the crowd without actually being a genuine disciple.

These people wanted their wishes granted, not a Lord they had to obey. They desired salvation from their sickness, not their sinfulness. They didn’t realize that Jesus Himself is the ultimate prize.

Share His Mission by Walking With Jesus

If you want to do great things for God, you need to be with Jesus. Spend time walking with Him and investing in the relationship you have with Him.

In verses 13–19, Jesus called His disciples to Himself. He did this so that they would first “be with Him,” and so that after this, “He might send them out.” These men did not look like promising people, but God was going to use them to accomplish amazing things. If He could use them, He can use you, too. All of us are fallen, broken people. Let’s go be with Jesus so we, too, can be sent out by Him to do great things for Him!

Stand With Jesus Even When Others Reject Him

In verses 20–30, the people rejected Jesus, saying that He was crazy and that He was partnering with the devil to cast out demons. Blasphemy is a willful, belligerent denial of Christ. Don’t be like those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit. When you mess up, don’t think He doesn’t have enough grace for you. If you repent, He is faithful to forgive you and cleanse you. So, when you sin, run to the Father. Stand with Him, even when everybody else is denying Him.

Submit to His Will and Belong to His Family

In verses 31–35, Jesus said that His mother and brothers are those who are in His inner family, doing the will of God, rather than those who are on the outside, rejecting Him.

On the outside stood the crowds, who sought miracles and not the Messiah. On the outside stood His earthly relatives, who thought He was crazy. On the outside stood the religious leaders, who questioned His identity and allegiance.

On the inside stood the disciples: a group of unlikely people who believed in Jesus and learned to walk with Him through faith. On the inside stand those who do the will of God, practicing an obedience that demonstrates true faith.

Most of us have hearts that drift toward legalism. Legalism comes from a positive desire to take the Lord’s rules seriously. However, problems arise when we make up our own rules, take pride in keeping them, and apply our personal standard to everybody else.

When we do this, we are not finding joy in Jesus anymore; we are trying to perform in an attempt to please the Lord. God’s rules cease to become guardrails that keep us where we’re supposed to be — instead, they turn into goalposts that cause us to believe we are scoring points with Jesus.

In Mark 2:13–3:6, Jesus encourages us to forsake legalism and follow Jesus in joyful freedom.

Follow the Friend of Sinners

In vv. 13–17, Jesus called a tax collector to come follow Him and then ate a meal at his house. In that day and culture, tax collectors were despised. The legalistic scribes wondered why Jesus chose this man, so different and so hated. But Jesus explained that He came to help those who need help. Let’s be willing to go where people are — where people need help — in order to share the Gospel with them.

Feast Joyfully with the Bridegroom

In vv. 18–22, the Pharisees asked Jesus why His disciples did not fast. The Pharisees had added to the Bible’s rules about fasting, communicating that anyone who was truly spiritual would fast twice a week. In Matthew 23:5, Jesus explained that their motivation for making all these rules was to be noticed by people. Do you do your good deeds to be seen by others?

Find Freedom in the Lord of the Sabbath

The Pharisees also made up many specific rules that God had not commanded concerning the Sabbath. In vv. 23–28, Jesus explained to them that the Sabbath was made for our good because we need to rest. He wanted the Pharisees to understand that people were more important than their principles.

Face Foes with Fearless, Compassionate Faith

In vv. 1–6, the Pharisees lacked compassion and became upset because Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath. Jesus looked at them with anger and grief because they cared more about their rules and principles than they did about people created in His image.

Application

In our own hearts, sometimes we identify more with the Pharisees and scribes than we do with Jesus and His disciples. We puff ourselves up with a self-righteous heart that puts others down, rather than just loving Jesus and finding joy in Him.

Jesus wants us to celebrate the freedom we have in Him, without going into sinfulness — keeping in mind that His rules are good guardrails that help us flourish. The problems are the rules that we make in our own hearts. Let’s cultivate a culture of friendship toward everyone, joy and freedom in Christ, and compassion for others. Through Christ, we are free from the legalistic rules we create!

What is your greatest longing, the thing you desire the most? What does that longing tell you about what you think your deepest need is?

We tend to believe we would be happy and fulfilled if only Jesus would give more to us: more friends, a better job, or whatever else we long for. Mark 2:1-12 challenges that by revealing our true, deepest need — what we really need in order to be filled with satisfaction and joy.

Saving Faith

In Mark 2, four men with a paralyzed friend hear that Jesus is in town. They become determined to do whatever it takes to bring their friend to Him for healing. They encounter an obstacle when they realize the house is too crowded to bring their friend in, but rather than giving up, they get creative and dig a hole in the roof. After much hard, sweaty work, they are finally able to lower the paralyzed man down through the hole to Jesus.

But surprisingly, healing this man was not the first thing Jesus did. When he looked down at the man, His first thought of compassion was not, “This man needs to walk.” Instead, it was, “This man needs a relationship with Me. He needs to understand that his wildest longing should be for Me.”

Jesus knew that the man’s greatest problem was not actually anything physical but something inward: his guilty standing before God. He gave him what he truly needed most, saying, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Skeptical Faith

In the front row before Jesus were some scribes who had come as skeptics — not because they loved Jesus but because they wanted to criticize. They didn’t like how Jesus was speaking with such authority, and they accused Him of blasphemy in their hearts.

Jesus, knowing this, asked them which was easier: to say the man was forgiven from his sins, or to say he was healed from his paralysis. The scribes probably assumed it was easier to say his sins were forgiven, but in reality, only God can forgive sins.

When Jesus forgave the man’s inward sins, he showed that He is God. He then performed the amazing outward act of healing the man’s legs physically. We each must make up our minds about who we personally believe Jesus is. Either He is God or He’s not — there is no middle ground. And if He is God, we must live like it, talk like it, and commit our lives to it.

Our Response

Our response to this passage is fourfold:

• First, we must look to Jesus. He is the greatest gift.

• Second, we must long for Jesus above all else. Your greatest longing indicates your heart’s posture.

• Third, we must lean on Jesus with every need. Bring Him your deepest desires.

• And fourth, we must lead people to Jesus, no matter the cost! Let us be like the paralytic’s friends, who stopped at nothing to bring him to Christ.