Day 17 | March 21 | Mark 8:1-21

My family has enjoyed watching The Amazing Race over the years. The television show is made up of 11 or 12 teams of two, competing against each other in a race around the world. The team still standing at the end of the final leg walks away with a million dollars! Not a bad way to see the world.

At some point during a leg of the race, contestants encounter a ‘road block’ challenge where only one of the two teammates is allowed to compete. Often times this road block is a particular puzzle or riddle that the player involved has to solve before he or she can get instructions for their next checkpoint. I enjoy watching the disbelief of the other teammate, who oftentimes can see an easy answer to the particular puzzle or riddle, yet can say nothing to their fellow teammate. You see the agony on their faces and hear muttering in their disbelief as they sit on the sideline. ‘Why can’t he see it!?! The answer is right there in front of his eyes!’

I was reminded of this when reading today’s passage. The disciples had journeyed with Jesus, experiencing not one but two miraculous feedings. Seven loaves of bread (and a few small fish) for 4,000 people? Not a problem for Jesus. In fact, seven basketfuls leftover!

Yet in a boat ride with Jesus soon after, we read the disciples statement, ‘…we have no bread.’ (vs. 16). I don’t know about you but I can find it easy sometimes to beat up on the disciples. ‘You have no bread? Don’t you realize who is in the boat with you? The answer is right in front of your eyes!’

But don’t we often do the same thing? How often do we find ourselves blinded by what we think is scarcity when God’s abundance and provision are readily available to us? How easily do we miss who’s in our boat?

I’m thankful the story doesn’t end here. The Bread of Life was patient with His disciples and He’s patient with us! May we be reminded today of His incredible abundance and never-ending provision!