Mark 8 - 7.17.25
S – Mark 8:14-21
14 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15 “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”
16 They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.”
17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”
“Twelve,” they replied.
20 “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”
They answered, “Seven.”
21 He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”
O - Jesus was not talking about yeast from the bread. It was a metaphor of the evil that could creep in from the Pharisees, like how powerful a little yeast is in a loaf of bread. The disciples didn’t get it. In Mark 6 we read that Jesus fed 5000, with five loaves of bread and two fish, then he proceeds to walk on water. In Ch. 7 we read how he healed many. Then in Ch 8 He feeds another 4000, with seven loaves and a few small fish. All of those things the Pharisees tried to explain away as luck, coincidence, or evil power. Their hearts were hardened. In verse 14 the disciples once again are worried because they forgot to bring but one loaf of bread. As they were discussing it, Jesus begins to question them and ask if THEIR hearts are hardened and if they had forgotten what He had done previously.
A – When I read verse 21, I can only imagine Jesus’ confusion and maybe even sadness, that his disciples who had been with Him and were first account witnesses to the miracles being performed, the healings, and the feeding of thousands with only a handful of bread and fish, had already forgotten it all. They were just there! Oh, but the conviction, how many times do I forget??
Mark 8:8 The people ate and were satisfied.
Not only did the thousands get fed, but they were also all satisfied AND there were leftovers. How many times does Jesus have to prove to us that He will come through when needed? That He will give us all that we need and then some! The leaders wanted Jesus to give them a sign and prove Himself. When things get hard and we don’t see God moving when, or how we want, we begin to question Him as well. Yet all we need to do is look back and remember what He has already done.
Asaph wrote in Psalms 77:11-12 “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
We would be wise to physically write down (journal), as well as share with others, the things that God has already done for us, so that when times of frustration, waiting, and worry hit us, we can go back and read what we wrote and then remember how He has provided, healed, come through, protected, given, and loved us!
P – Lord forgive me for the times I forget who you are and just what you are capable of. Help me to be disciplined in writing down all of the things you do, and have done for me, so that I can go back and remember them. Lord, I thank you that you are always faithful. I thank you for each and every time you have protected me from danger, myself, and even as recent as two near car crashes in the last two days. I could fill a journal with the things you have protected me from, as well as a journal on all of the blessings you have given me. May I intentionally take the time to remember the life that was headed for death which you saved me from. May I remember how I prayed for my husband, children, and friends that you have blessed me with. Help us all to concentrate on all those things instead of complaining about how awful things are for us personally, or around our cities and the world. Help us to see the world through YOUR eyes and navigate our space with the hope and love that comes only from your precious son, Jesus! Amen.
- Crystal Flory
