Does today’s reading look a little familiar? The location has changed, and the number of people is a bit smaller. It is incredulous to me that the disciples had to even ask Jesus, “How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?”
Were they not just witness to a miraculous multiplication of bread and fish previously? What is wrong with them? Maybe it had been a few months or something. Maybe the fact that it had been three days with the same people made it so they didn’t see the connection. No matter, Jesus remained calm, didn’t he? Jesus simply asked a question, “How much bread do you have?”
You may have already noticed this common theme so far in the gospel of Mark. The disciples are a little hard headed and their hearts are not open. I’m not sure how, but I have heard it said that sometimes the closer we are to something the harder it is for us to see. This is an excellent example of this phenomenon. I’m sure God had something to do with it, too.
We can be close minded at times, yes? We can be a little hard headed and stubborn, yes? It’s easy for us to point fingers now at the disciples and wonder how they could not see. We have the benefit of God’s word. We see how God’s love story has played out from the beginning. As the Old Testament begins in Genesis with creation, the fall, the rise of judges, kings, and prophets, the beautiful story unfolds and points directly to Jesus.
So what is your take away today? Provision. God provides. He always shows up for us like he did in this example.
We may be going through something so much bigger than ourselves. We may feel afraid, lost, alone. Or we may feel empty, like something is missing. If this is happening to you, remember the bread. Thank God for your life, broken pieces and all, and God will bless you to bless others. You will have enough. God is enough for us all.
Let’s pray. Father God I thank you for the provision in my life. Forgive my wandering heart and bring me back to you. Thank you for the patience you have with me as I grow closer to you. You are such a wise God and you are able to use all of my missteps and turn them into dancing. I pray for others who are walking down the wrong path, feeling lost and empty. I know you are stirring in them. Use me and others to be your ambassadors to bring them peace and to show them the way back to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
