Do you still not see or understand?
by Pastor Mark Lieschke
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Jesus asked them: ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened?’ (Mark 8:17).
Jesus put no fewer than eight questions to his disciples in these verses. And I can imagine that he was a little frustrated with their inability to grasp what he was really getting at. They could not fully understand who he was or what he was capable of doing.
They had witnessed two extraordinary events: five thousand people fed with five loaves and four thousand with seven. They were all Israelites who would have known the story of how God had fed their ancestors with manna in the desert. Yet they did not seem to grasp the implication of the miracles they had just witnessed, nor the divine identity of the One putting the questions to them.
It wasn’t the bread, the lack of it or the incredible amount of it that was the issue. The disciples seemed distracted by what they wanted to see, touch and taste and missed out on what was most important – Jesus himself.
We dare not stand in condemnation of the disciples, for Jesus’ questions are for us as well. He challenges us to think through what it means for us to believe in him as the Son of God, to listen to his teaching, to trust in his provision for us and to take him at his word.
Looking for miraculous evidence of his reality and presence can lead us away from what is most important. Having things we can see, touch and taste might be helpful at times, but the good news of Jesus in us, for us, and with us goes far beyond that.
Jesus’ word of forgiveness, hope, love, grace and peace can’t be measured, analysed, catalogued or examined in the same way that we see things around us. They are exceptional and gifts of a unique and generous Lord, who more than anything else wants us to receive, rejoice in and share it.
Lord Jesus, open our eyes, ears and hearts to see, hear and receive what you want to give us. Don’t let us be distracted by the things of this world and our own desires. Keep us looking to you, trusting in you and confident that you will give us what we need. Thank you for your presence and promises that give us the sure hope we need to live in this world and look forward to eternity. Amen.
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