Rejecting Religious DOG-ma

I had to read this a few times. I'm convinced that this is what's going on. Jesus is in the Decapolis. He has just left a woman who accepts the Jewish perspective of gentiles as dogs. Even the dog eats the crumbs from his master. That segways into this scene. We're in the Decapolis, deep gentile territory. A sea of "dogs" by Jewish standards. 

Here, you don't get the sense of the disciples actively, enthusiastically participating. Something is off. The focus is on Jesus, his miracles, the healing of the deaf mute. And Jesus has to initiate the idea that after 3 days of being with them that the people in this crowd might be hungry! We get an almost repeat of the feeding of the 5000. Here, it's the feeding of the 4000. 

Segway again into the common scene where Jesus is being accosted: show us a sign!" When they get in their boat to go on their way, the disciples have lost the significance of the meaning of what just happened. Jesus has to remind them about the meaning of numbers. It's almost like he is saying: "Ok, guys... let's go over this. What does 12 mean? What does 7 mean? " 

He then tells them to beware the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod. We know generally what this means but I think specifically what Jesus is telling them is that they are being taught Jewish pride.... The disciples need to get over their self-aggrandizement of putting their religious culture over all other people. The need to get over what I call DOG-ma. 

Notes to Rejecting Religious DOG-ma

Episode Link: 
https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/rejecting-religious-dog-ma/