The Gospel of Mark: Oh, those disciples!

Now the disciples had forgotten to bring any bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out—beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.” They said to one another, “It is because we have no bread.” And becoming aware of it, Jesus said to them, “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?” They said to him, “Twelve.” “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?” And they said to him, “Seven.” Then he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?” ~ Mark 8:14-21


This passage marks the end of the first part of Mark. We are half-way through the book.

And look where the disciples are.

By this point, you'd expect them to be getting it, wouldn't you? But not only aren't they, but we are told Jesus thinks he knows why.

Are your hearts hardened?

Ouch!

After everything they've done and seen and heard, they still don't get it. They still are asking the wrong questions.

This plays out like a comedy routine. Jesus makes a very deep, spiritual point about the yeast of Herod and the Pharisees. And what do the disciples do? They think it has to do with them having no bread.

They don't understand what bread Jesus is talking about.

Shouldn't they by now?

It's easy to shake our heads about the disciples, but the truth is, that we can ask the same questions that miss the point as well, can't we? With all we've seen, heard, and done, we sometimes don't get it either.

Being a follower of Jesus takes engagement. It takes work. It takes being aware of our limitations and being open to expanding on those limitations and growing in our theological framework.

Fortunately, this wasn't the end for the disciples. There was still hope for them. 

And there is still hope for us...even when we don't get it.


Holy God, thank you for the gospel - the good news - of your Son. Open my mind and heart to this good news and enliven me with your Spirit of servanthood that I might share this good news with a world in need. Amen

Engagement Question:

What is something that you still wish Jesus would explain to you?

 

Popular posts from this blog

But we had hoped

Now on that same day two (disciples) were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles  from Jerusalem,  and talking with each other about all these things that had happened.  While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them,  but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.  And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad.   Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?”  He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth,  who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,  and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him.  But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.  Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place.  Mo
Read more

The Gospel of Mark: The Burial of Jesus

When evening had come, and since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,  Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead for some time.  When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph.  Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.  Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid. ~ Mark 15:42-47 Here's someone unexpected! A member of the council - the ones who sentenced Jesus to death - asking to bury Jesus. Jesus' friends have all scattered. Remember when John the Baptist died, and his disciples to
Read more

The Gospel of Mark: Friday Follow-Up

- Re-read Mark 15:6-15:39 from this week's devotions. - Read the passage again and identify a word or phrases that jump out at you. - Read the passage again, and if possible read from a different translation ( biblegateway.com  has many translations you can choose from). Identify where this passage might be touching your life today. How is this relevant to your life? - Read the passage a third time, again in a different translation if possible. Ask yourself what God is calling you to do or to be from this passage. What change might God be moving your toward? - Close with a silent prayer, listening to God rather than speaking to God. What actions will you take today based on this prayer? - Recite the Lord's Prayer.
Read more