Are You Serious?

The Disciples began to argue with one another about having no bread.

Mark 8:16 

 

"Don't make me stop this car!"  A statement my brother and I heard on every single family trip because when we were in close proximity to each other, we aggravated each other to the point Dad got testy.  I remember a pastor telling a similar story of his own trips with his two children, and he said, "Now I can appreciate a little of what Jesus had to put up with. I only have two children, Jesus had 12!"  

 

Jesus and the Disciples were headed off on another boat trip, when the Disciples discovered they only had a single loaf of bread for the journey.  That's when they started in on each other about who forgot to bring food, what are we going to do for food, and on, and on, and on.  Sound familiar? In my mind's eye, I sometimes wonder how many times Jesus rolled His eyes at the antics of these 12. I honestly believe that Jesus, being fully human yet fully divine, still had some human qualities.  I believe Jesus had times when He would laugh.  We know He cried. We know He got hungry.  We know He got tired.  I'll bet He had more than a few "are you kidding me?" moments with this band of brothers.

 

Jesus heard the bickering and finally stepped in.  “Why are you arguing about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Have your hearts been hardened? ¹⁸ Though you have eyes, don’t you see? And though you have ears, can’t you hear? Don’t you remember?"  The Disciples had been present when Jesus had performed miracle after miracle, yet they still worried about what they would have to eat.  So Jesus reminded them: ^"19 When I broke the five loaves for the 5,000, how many baskets full of pieces did you pick up?” They replied, “Twelve.” ²⁰ “When I broke the seven loaves for the 4,000, how many baskets full of pieces did you pick up?” They replied, “Seven.”"

 

Don't we do the same thing?  We've experienced God's mercy, love, caring, and provision time after time, yet when we find ourselves in another quandary we worry.  Yes, I'm talking to my own insecurities as well.  God has promised to take care of us, that's His job! When we worry, we have, essentially fired God from His job because we don't believe He can perform.

 

After Jesus reminded the Disciples, and us, of the way He has provided when it seemed impossible, He asks them: ²¹ Then he said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

 

Abba, Forgive me when I doubt You. Help my unbelief. Remind me that, as Your child, You will ALWAYS provide.  Amen.