PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 8:14-21
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Do you still not understand?” (Mark 8:21)
What we call ‘miracles’ are actually literally called ‘signs’.
Jesus performed many signs to prove that he was the messiah, the Son of God.
Here Jesus warns about the yeast (subtle deception) of Herod and the Pharisees.
The disciples misunderstand Jesus, thinking he is concerned about the bread.
Jesus then points to the message of the remaining baskets.
12 baskets leftover when feeding over 5000 Jews (Mark 6:42-43).
7 baskets leftover when feeding over 4000 Gentiles (Mark 8:8).
If the 12 represents the tribes of Israel, what about the 7?
For the Jews the 7 represented the 7 nations of Canaan:
Canaanites, Amorites, Girgashites, Hittites, Hivites, Jebusites and Perizzites.
In other words, Jesus is enough for everyone, for Jews and Gentiles!
He is the bread of life for all people, the messiah for all people!
Don’t worry about bread, says Jesus; I am more than enough for everyone.
Am I still worried about the concerns of this life, or do I still not understand?
PRAYER
Lord, nothing in this world is enough, and I am not enough in myself either. But you are more than enough. Help me to understand this, and to stop letting worldly concerns look for more apart from you.
What is the yeast I need to watch out for? I see that the disciples, like the Pharisees and Herod – see strength in their own power/resources. I limit myself if I just look to myself. I can save myself by what I do etc. only Jesus can – he is the source. Like the disciples I need to learn that I need Jesus – that he provides what I need – he is the bread-of-life! Help me overcome my own ego to be self-sufficient – help me to see my dependence on Jesus! He has more than enough for me!
Jesus had just feed the people. The disciples quickly forgot what the Lord God had done. Their focus was on the present moment forgetting what the Lord had done and His ever presence providing them everyday as they traveled with Him. His is my strength and song for Jesus is the Bread of Life. Today my focus is on Jesus Who gives me my daily bread.
Guide me, O thou great redeemer,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty,
Hold me with thy powerful hand;
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven
Feed me till I want no more;
Feed me till I want no more.