“They began discussing this with one another, saying, “It is because we have no bread [that He said this].” 17 Jesus, aware of this [discussion], said to them, “Why are you discussing [the fact] that you have no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Though you have eyes, do you not see? And though you have ears, do you not hear and listen [to what I have said]? And do you not remember, 19 when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces you picked up?” They answered, “Twelve.” 20 “And [when I broke] the seven [loaves] for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of broken pieces did you pick up?” And they answered, “Seven.” 21 And He was saying to them, “Do you still not understand?” Mark 8:16-21
The conversation in Mark Chapter 8 took place after another time when Jesus fed the multitudes, when they barely had enough to mention. Each time these miracles of feeding the multitudes occurred, the disciples played an intricate part in the answer; they handed out food to thousands that was intended for just one person.
Yet, when they didn’t have enough bread for themselves, they thought Jesus was fussing at them because they hadn’t remembered to buy bread.
It seems ridiculous to think the disciples would worry about food when they had Jesus with them; however, we do the same thing.
When David and I married, I had a good job at a Pharmaceutical Company, and we served together at our church. We had only been married a few months when the company had a massive layoff, which included me. After several months, we had exhausted my severance money, and we were in a tight financial situation. I remember one Sunday morning, sitting in church with twenty dollars in my wallet. I felt The Lord wanted me to give my last twenty dollars in the offering. My first thought was that it was all the money we had for several more days, but then I realized it wasn’t enough anyway, and I put it in the offering bag as I asked the Lord to take care of us. I forgot about it until after the service when I was getting into my car. I heard a man yelling my name and running towards me in the parking lot. He handed me an envelope full of cash and said he and his wife felt The Lord told them to give us this money today during the service. It was $300.00. The Lord didn’t need my $20.00; He wanted me to empty my hand so He could fill it. Through our lives in ministry, I can’t tell you how many times The Lord has taken care of us with vehicles, vacations, furniture, clothing, and much more.
When we experience a miracle of God’s provision, health, strength, or any other answer, it is our job to remember those things so when we’re in need again, we have confidence and faith that The Lord will take care of us just as He always has. How well we remember God’s goodness to us determines our peace and strength as we rely on The Lord.
