Jesus, the Bully?
Games Played by Roman Guards
Picture this. You are talking with a group of your friends and you find yourself in the midst of a discussion on a topic you feel you really know well. Everyone is engaged and you feel that glow of confidence engulf you. It feels so good to be taken seriously that you don't notice that you are joined by another, someone you really admire. He has heard what you just said and starts to laugh, shaking his head. "You have no idea what you are talking about," he says, putting you down in front of your friends. Immediately, all eyes turn to him as he steals the conversation and the spotlight from you, leaving you to feel foolish and stupid.
'Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?' They said to him, 'Twelve.' 'And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?' And they said to him, 'Seven.' Then he said to them, 'Do you not yet understand?' - Mark 8:17-21
All right, so maybe Jesus isn't being a bully here, but I am not crazy about the way is talking to his friends. Is he angry, disappointed, frustrated? What's his problem?
One of the things that stuck with me from our trip to Jerusalem last year was the fact that we had to go down below the street level if we wanted to experience what the city was like at the time of Jesus. Centuries of newer construction sat on top of the remains of the streets and shops that lined them.
In one area, not too far from Herod's Gate, we came upon some carved stones in the floor. We were told the guards would gamble and play games, casting lots and rolling stones to while away the hours. Perhaps they were waiting to bring a prisoner before Herod. Such would be Jesus' fate, whipped and beaten with the guards casting lots for his clothing.
So, what triggered the sharp statement from Jesus?
In a boat on the Sea of Galilee
The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, asking him for a sign from heaven, to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, 'Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.' And he left them, and getting into the boat again, he went across to the other side.
Now the disciples had forgotten to bring any bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, 'Watch out-beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.' They said to one another, 'It is because we have no bread.' - Mark 8:11-16
What could Jesus mean by the yeast or leaven of the Pharisees and Herod?
I have fond memories of making bread with my grandmother. The first step was always to activate the yeast, to stir it in warm water and let it begin to bubble up. It seemed to come alive and when I added it to the mound of flour and cracked in the eggs, my hands would become sticky until it was all mixed together with more flour. Left on its own, covered with a wet towel, the dough would rise. In an hour or so, it would be overflowing the bowl, pushing the towel into the air.
To me, it was magical, how such a small amount of powder could transform the flour into something wonderful. So, why would Jesus make it sound like yeast was bad?
It was getting late. They had been together a long time. They were close friends. They knew him well. They should have understood him, but they didn't. Or, they didn't want to understand.
The Pharisees taunted him. Show us a sign, Jesus! What other signs did they need? He had just fed thousands, not once, but twice. The symbolism of the bread, the source of life was given to many and with one little question, these leaders, these holders of the law were looking to plant a seed of doubt in the hearts of all who had experienced something truly amazing. No wonder Jesus was angry.
Is that all it takes? Do some people have so much power or authority that they can make a statement or wave a hand and cause many who believe, who know the truth, to doubt?
Hmm. Maybe I had it wrong. Maybe Jesus isn't the bully in this case. Maybe it is someone else.