By Neo

Read: Leviticus 19:1-20:21, Mark 8:11-38, Psalm 42:1-11, Proverbs 10:17

But the disciples had forgotten to bring any food. They had only one loaf of bread with them in the boat. As they were crossing the lake, Jesus warned them, “Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod.”
At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn’t brought any bread. Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, “Why are you arguing about having no bread? Don’t you know or understand even yet? Are your hearts too hard to take it in? ‘You have eyes—can’t you see? You have ears—can’t you hear?’ Don’t you remember anything at all?
Mark 8:14-18

Relate:
From water to wine, driving out evil spirits, and healing the sick to raising many and himself back to life, Jesus’s resume consists of a wide variety of things we cannot disavow but cannot give a concrete explanation as to why a human being could do such things. Still, Jesus Christ revealed himself to be more than a human, but also the Son of God. Yet, even after these things, we Christians tend to fall short at moments we cannot predict. This can also be seen with the disciples.

React:
This section in the book of Mark explores the story of the disciples arguing about not having enough bread, which is a topic they are familiar with as this event dates later than the feeding of the five thousand. Despite witnessing Jesus’ miracles firsthand, they somehow found themselves distant from acknowledging that Jesus could have a solution. Through this verse, we see a simplified account of the human dependency to look towards an explainable outcome, no matter how pessimistic it may be. The problem with the disciples’ decision does not necessarily come from their argument, but the way they ignored the greatness that had happened before, and somehow set their standards lower, even though the Messiah was physically with them. Through this verse, we see a simplified account of the human dependency to look towards an explainable outcome, no matter how pessimistic it may be. 

Although the power of Jesus sometimes reveals itself in unexplainable ways, we know that it is there. Still, there are moments where we act like the disciples, rejecting turning to God first, or at least shortening his power by manifesting it into our beliefs. It should be our responsibility to remember. 

Why can’t we expect more? As Christians, we should acknowledge the intense care that God promises us. Even if it is not a life-or-death situation, nothing is stopping us from opening our eyes to the unlimited places God can influence.

Respond:

Dear God,
I pray for your provision in my responses to things I should know that you are the answer to. Help me be aware of your infinite strength as I learn to respond by expecting the best with your guidance. I offer all my standards to you.
Amen.