As Mark's familiar journeying motif continues in today's gospel lesson, the disciples are about to be taken by Jesus to a place they would never have imagined. The disciples have just witnessed some of the most impressive demonstrations of Jesus' powers. Jesus had fed a crowd of 5,000 on five barley loaves and two fish (Mark 6:30-44). He had walked across water to join his disciples aboard ship (Mark 6:45-52). Further along on their journey, Jesus had healed a Gentile girl who was demon possessed and a man who could neither speak nor hear (Mark 7:24-37). Yet another feeding miracle was recorded by Mark (8:1-10): this time 4,000 fed by seven loaves. Finally, Jesus had healed a blind man, fully restoring the man's vision (Mark 8:22-26). After all these tremendous acts and signs of power, the…