Are We Having the Same Conversation?

Scripture:

Mark 8:14-21

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?”

Observation:

Jesus and the disciples seemed to be having communication problems. More than that, the communication problems seemed to stem from a lack of understanding about who Jesus was and therefore, trust in him. 

Jesus had already performed miracles and shown that he could provide for their physical needs. This should not have been a concern for them, but even after proving himself, they were hung up on needing to find more bread. 

In the midst of this concern, Jesus began to teach the disciples. He wanted to tell them about the ways in which the Pharisees would try to infiltrate their thinking and that of others. This was a serious and deep conversation but the disciples didn’t get it. They were still too concerned with eating that they didn’t realize that he was teaching. The disciples were having their own conversation because they were fixated on their own needs. Jesus was having an entirely different conversation but they didn’t catch what he was saying. 

Finally, Jesus had to stop and bring focus to that which had detoured the discussion. He had to deal with their concern for physical bread before they would ever understand his teaching. 

Application:

Every day there are new truths that we can learn from the Lord. Our ability to learn those truths will be dependent upon whether we are able to join in on the conversation. Jesus may be having one conversation with us, while we are having an entirely different one with him. 

The disciples were distracted by the things of life and therefore were missing out on the deep truths that Jesus had to offer. There are so many factors in life that can become a distraction to us and the consequence will be a missed opportunity with Jesus. 

What is it that Jesus has already proved to you, and yet, you remain hung up in that place in life? The foundational issue for the disciples was trust. A lack of trust will lead us to a very particular conversation which may just drown out what we really need to hear. 

The spiritual journey is one of daily trust and dependence upon God. This is developed in the quiet space of conversation, where distractions have been put aside, and we can get on the same page with our Lord.

Prayer:

Lord, I’m afraid that I’m often right there in the boat with the disciples. May I learn to trust in you more and more and be engaged in your conversation. Amen.