The Third Time?

Mark 8:14-21 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15 “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.” 16 They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.” 17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” “Twelve,” they replied. 20 “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven.” 21 He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”
 
HAVE you ever been in a meeting when some information confused you and the group leader wondered, “Do you still not see or understand?”  Did you object to the question as judgmental or too harsh? Was the leader frustrated because he had told you how to do something. He then watched you do it. But you still did not understand what you were doing.
   Our tendency in such a situation may be to blame someone or something else. “You didn’t say it clearly. I had too much to do. I was tired. I was too busy to learn it.”
   Do you think that was the disciples’ response to Jesus’ rebuke? It was lunch time, and they are short of bread on their boat ride across Galilee. They realize they have one loaf for the dozen or so men onboard. What do you think? Should they be worried? Or should they be faithful?
   Two times now they have watched and participated in Jesus feeding thousands of people from a few loaves of bread. Jesus can certainly feed a dozen or so. Bu there they are with empty stomachs and apparently empty minds. Why is it they still do not see or understand?  
     Jesus had asked the question earlier: Mark 4:13 Then Jesus said to them, “Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable?” Then he came to the core of their problem. Jesus warned: “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”  He referred to the sin of these ruling authorities in Galilee. They do not believe in Jesus. They have denied him. They have criticized Jesus, they have felt threatened by Jesus, and they have shown no faith in him. Their attacks on Jesus can permeate people’s hearts and minds in the same way yeast moves through bread dough. Yeast, too, is a symbol of sin at the Passover. Jesus had been teaching them he is the Bread who came down from heaven. He warns the disciples to block the Pharisees’ and Herod’s sins, so their minds are pure, prepared to have complete faith in him.
   In these several lessons, Mark has put the disciples in an unfavorable light. We can read of their faith struggles and wonder why they had such difficulty as the Living Word taught them. But this challenge is one reason we can believe Mark. Evidence points to Peter as Mark’s source. Peter’s revelation of the disciples’ faith challenges should be an encouragement to all of us who struggle with the Bible’s teachings. We must know an increasing faith grows our understanding. Putting aside the yeast of the world opens our minds to receive Jesus’ truth, even if it takes three, four, five or more times to hear and understand.
   Following Jesus is a continual walk. Stay active and be attentive.