Peter and the disciples are given a glimpse into the glory of Christ. Though there is ultimate glory to be had in eternity, God’s plan for glory on earth brings us through suffering. Jesus is our example of suffering well and trusting in the glory to come.

People had many false ideas about the concept of the “Messiah”. Many believed he would be a political, nationalistic figure; coming to free the Jews from the Romans. But of course, God had a much bigger plan and broader deliverance!

From now on, the underlying deeper questions Mark is leading us to is: What kind of Messiah is He, and what does it mean to follow Him?

Like this man, we all were once blind spiritually, blinded by satan, blinded by sin, but when you honestly came to Jesus, a miracle began to happen!

They reject this Messiah BECAUSE He included the gentiles into the plan. It infuriated them, offended them, that he calls tax collectors, dined with adulterers, befriended sinners, pursued demoniac, touched the unclean, raised the dead, called the lowly, surrounded himself with the sick, spoke with women, etc.

“I have compassion on the crowd” Theses are some of the most tender words from Jesus' lips. He is giving the disciples a glimpse into His heart. Those who put Jesus first were recipients of His compassion.

Do we see the need in others and feel such compassion for them that we are compelled to bring them to Jesus. He’s the only one who can heal all things. Pride is one of the most dangerous sins, humility brings the grace of God.

At this point Jesus is testing if she is mimicking or truly believing. She knew the “lingo” … but, did she know the man? She imitated the “religion”… but failed miserably, until she got real and came in brokenness and emptiness before Jesus.

You see, The Lord Wants Both... Righteous Actions Done by a Righteous Heart. How is the heart cleansed, the Word! How do we keep from the sin of Traditionalism? Standing on the Word of God alone!

But God is not about the ways and plans of humanity... So notice, while He was sending the multitude away, His objective in this was to put an end to the misdirected exhilaration of their ideas... and an idea the disciples themselves may have been somewhat drawn to. How often God has to protect us from ourselves?