Mark 7 and 8

Chapter 7

In verses 1-23, the Lord condemns the Pharisees and scribes for keeping the traditions of the elders rather than keeping the commandments.  Being the one who gave the commandments to Moses, he never said anything about washing of hands, or pots and cups.  He doesn't condemn their washings, he condemns them for being more concerned about their traditions than their failure to keep basic commandments like honoring their father and mother.  They're concerned about the food defiling a person.  He says, the food going into the mouth doesn't defile anyone, it's what comes out of their mouth; it's what comes from their heart that defiles them.

Th woman who brings her daughter to him is a Greek, a gentile.  The gospel first goes to the Jews and Jesus tells her that.  She is basically saying, I'm not a Jew (one of the chosen people), but that doesn't mean I can't believe and recognize the source of true spiritual nourishment.

I think it's interesting that the Savior heals the deaf and speech impaired man by doing something that uses the senses the man knows.  You wonder if he did this to enforce the power of the miracle for the man rather than just say the words he does to heal him.  He does the same thing to a blind man in chapter eight.

Chapter 8

In verses 1-9, he miraculously feeds another huge multitude because if they have traveled so far from their homes that they will have difficulty getting back without passing out from hunger.  In verses 10-12, he is troubled because the Pharisees want a sign, but he knows that it is not the miracles that will convert them.  We're the same way a lot of times aren't we?  If we could see a miracle, see an angel, we think that would convince us when only the Holy Ghost can do that.  And usually that only happens when we understand the doctrine.  In verses 14-21, he uses the feeding of the bread to the multitude as a symbol of his feeding the people truth concerning himself as the Savior.  The bread (teachings) of the Pharisees will not fill the people, only his teachings will.

In verses 29 to the end of the chapter, he teaches the 12 how he must suffer the atonement and be crucified, that it is necessary for him to lay down his life in order to save everyone else.  So it's important that they know he is the Savior.  They seem to know he is the Savior but don't yet understand why he must suffer and die.  Then he tells them that people must be willing to give him their lives, or they cannot be saved and his atonement will have been in vain.