When he became aware of this he said to them, “Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened?” Mark 8:17 NABRE
Mark writes another story concerning bread after Jesus has fed four thousand. The disciples’ are mentioned as forgetting to bring bread and Jesus speaks to them about watching out for the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod. Jesus needs His disciples to be aware a small amount of yeast, leaven can have a big effect on bread. Just as following sinful people, or even just respecting and mimicking them can lead to a life of sinfulness. Scholars want us to make the connection between the disciples remarking they have no bread and Jesus as the Bread of Life always being present. Jesus is the bread that has come down from heaven. Perhaps this is why Jesus says to the disciples they do not yet understand, when you have Jesus you always have bread, you always have nourishment that will give you life.
Jesus pushes back at the disciples, asking them if they understand but He does not wait for their response. The hearts of the Pharisees and Herod are hardened and Jesus poses a stinging question to the disciples, are their hearts hardened as well. A hard heart can be seen as spiritual blindness, Jesus challenging the disciples helps us see that anyone can be blind to the spirit. If those Jesus selected, who have been with Him watching all the blessings He provides others, can be spiritually blind then how much more we are at risk of having a hard heart. Human beings are the ones at fault for spiritual blindness, but God provides the grace to help us see. Ask for help. Don’t allow a small amount of sin enter your heart, it can have a profound effect on your entire being.
Have you had a small sin create a big effect on you? Do you understand Jesus message?
Human beings are the ones at fault for spiritual blindness, but God provides the grace to help us see. Ask for help. Don't allow a small amount of sin enter your heart, it can have a profound effect on your entire being. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #bread #see #Mark #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #cross #last #gospels #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways