Mark 8: 4-10 (NLT)
As he scattered it across his field, some of the seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it. Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seed sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plant soon wilted under the hot sun, and since it didn’t have deep roots, it died. Other seed fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants so they produced no grain. Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they sprouted, grew, and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” Then he said, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” Later, when Jesus was alone with the twelve disciples and with the others who were gathered around, they asked him what the parables meant.
I have a confession. There are many things in this world I don’t understand. I don’t understand why people are so fascinated with cell phones, Facebook, and “reality” shows. I don’t understand why most people in the US shy away from soccer. I don’t understand why people hate to read or despise growing adventurous in life. But the thing I don’t understand the most is how we as Christ followers are so quick to forget about the miracles and victories Jesus has wrought in our lives. How can we be so elated, joyful, and worshipful over an event or circumstance and then when the next bump in the road comes, neglect to remember who works things out on our behalf.
The thought is evoked in today’s reading. Here, the disciples are confronted with a conundrum. Jesus says, in effect, “here you have a lot of hungry people, we’ve been worshipping and fellowshipping so much, we forgot to eat. Give me some ideas…”
At a loss, the disciples respond with incredulous disbelief. “What do you want us to do about it?”
The first thing Jesus wanted them to do was remember. Both who he is and the miracles they’d already witnessed. Including the nearly identical miracles of feeding people from nothing. (Flip back and read the episodes again in Mark 6 and 7). Not long before, Jesus fed a massive crowd with little more than sardines and breadsticks. Miraculously, the snack filled thousands. With doggy bags to spare. When Jesus laid this dilemma to his closest friends and followers, his desire was for them to remember such things and say something along the lines of…”Let us step up and pray and feed the people through your name…or nothing is impossible for you Jesus…or even, you’ve done it before, you can do it again!” Instead, they mutter, “what do you want us to do about it?” Already relegated to fear, they’d forgotten the recent victory.
Allow me to make this hit home. Although the vote was unanimous, some of you may be saying, “What do we do now? What do you want us to do about it?” regarding the move. But be reminded that the LORD has constantly provided for the needs of the Refugees. See the situation not as another roadblock to faith (as the disciples did in this case); rather, see it as an opportunity to say, “Jesus, you’ve taken care of us thus far and we’ll have the faith you’ll pull off the miraculous in this situation as well! As long as your with us LORD, the road (or building in this case) will be joyful!”
Application: Remember a previous victory/miracle from Jesus. Now think about what’s going on in your life right now. Are there any circumstances you can relate to that miraculous time? If so, remember how Christ brought you through and remind yourself he is able (and willing) to do so again.
