Mark 8:14-21

Find a way to separate yourself from whatever’s going on around you so you can fully enter into today’s passage. if you haven’t read the introduction to Mark’s Gospel, read it here.

Read Mark 8:14-21 noting the obvious irony of the disciple’s concern about bread.

They had seen Jesus feed a crowd of 5000 Jewish men, plus women and children, and they had seen him serve food a crowd of 4000 Gentile men and their families, but when Jesus warns them about the “yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod,” the disciples think he’s upset because they forgot to bring lunch.

Are there times when you worry about a current situation without taking into account how God has been faithful to you in the past?

Jesus’ point in this story is far greater than the disciple’s immediate need for food. He is warning them about falling under the influence of either of two extremes: the Pharisee’s strict and largely meaningless religious activity, and the flagrant justification of sin demonstrated by Herod.

Jesus is true north. His words are food for the soul. He is sufficient for all people – Jews and Gentiles alike. When he fed the Jewish crowd, the leftovers consisted of one basket for each of the twelve tribes of Israel, and when he fed the Gentile crowd there was a basket of leftovers for all seven of the nations living in the land of Canaan – the traditional “enemies of Israel.” Jesus breaks down the wall of hostility between the two groups and demonstrates that they are all simply people in need of nourishment for their souls. And he is the only spiritual food that satisfies. He is enough.

Read Mark 8:14-21 again focusing in on Jesus’ questions to the disciples.

Take a few moments to imagine Jesus asking you these questions. Picture his face not as an exasperated parent but as the source of all life and love who is pleading with you to trust him.

Choose one or two of the questions of Jesus from Mark 8:14-21 and write them down somewhere you will see them often during the day. Continue to contemplate how you would answer these questions and listen to see if the Holy Spirit has something to teach you through your answers.

If you sense Jesus asking you to do something, follow through.

If these meditations are helpful to you, please forward them to couple of friends.

Interested in going deeper? Check out The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide and blog.