Day 17 | March 21 | Mark 8:1-21
Day 17 | March 21 | Mark 8:1-21
By: Eric Bryant
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!
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!
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8 Comments
A great reminder! Sometimes I get so fixated on the issue at hand that I forget about God’s power and provision.
Eric thank you my friend!!! For your reminder that bread will never be enough. But Jesus is. May Gods love swallow you up today!!
His patience, His abundance, and His never-ending provision.
Thanks for reminding me again Eric of my Heavenly Father’s love and care for me,
Well said & written, Eric. I’m always in need of reminders about the Lord’s past provisions for me in moments of current need.
Thank you for writing.
Ugh! So me!!! “Where’s the bread?!?” God is so loving, mind and patient! I love to park myself in the “REMEMBER WHAT HE HAS DONE!” Thanks for this, Eric!
Jesus is the Bread of Life! Eric, I need the reminder today. God is always more than enough!
This was so good for me to hear today. Thank you for the very insightful reminder.
This is a terrific and humbling reminder before I wgt my taxes done tomorrow. God always provides!