In Mark 8 we witness the resolve of the Saviour and the declaration of the disciples “You are the Christ.”
Having grown up in Tasmania, I’ve started white water kayaking when I was fourteen years of age. There was copious amount of wild rivers and rapids. Ahead of a section of rapids was smooth water transitioning toward the v shaped beginning of the rapids. If a paddler wanted to avoid the section they could move off to the side or into an eddy. But there came a point of no return, where the force of the water would thrust you into the vortex of white water and stopper waves. This was the point of no return. You’re going down the rapids whether you like it or not.
In Mark 8 Jesus is at that point of declaring ‘it’s time, we’re going down the rapids…’
Jesus predicts His death and Resurrection vv 31-33
Take up the cross and follow Him vv 34-38
The Compassion of Jesus vv 1-10
It’s nearly like ground hog day (movie – Phil (Bill Murray), a weatherman, is out to cover the annual emergence of the groundhog from its hole. He gets caught in a blizzard that he didn’t predict and finds himself trapped in a time warp. He is doomed to relive the same day over and over again until he gets it right.) Was that going to be the case with the disciples?
I have compassion. The verb is from splagchna (σπλαγχνα), “the inward parts,” – “my heart goes out to them”
Philippians 1:8 (NLT) ⁸ God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.
He knew that the vast majority were following him from no other motive than curiosity or what they may gain from Jesus – healing, food, teaching. Certainly there was no sense of allegiance. (cf Palm Sunday… then crucify)
Jesus had compassion on those who were not His people. He saw them as hungry and destitute and was moved by their plight…

We learn from these verses:
The resolve of the Saviour
The cost of discipleship
The unspeakable value of the soul. What does our Lord say? “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” (verse 36).