14Now they had forgotten to bring bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. 15And he cautioned them, saying, "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." 16And they discussed it with one another, saying, "We have no bread." 17And being aware of it, Jesus said to them, "Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? 19When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" They said to him, "Twelve." 20"And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" And they said to him, "Seven." 21And he said to them, "Do you not yet understand?"
Beware nourishment that comes from the wrong place. Hunger can compel us to reach out for things that won't sustain us. Rather, they slowly eat away at us. Jesus seems to be re-asserting that the bread he provides has no limits. We should never need to turn elsewhere for nourishment. I believe that those who reach out and take what is on offer from Christ and simultaneously turn away the offers of others that may in the short term look attractive are building the foundations for the rest of their lives all the way to eternity.
ReplyDeleteYour reflections are profound and well-articulated. You draw strong spiritual and practical connections between scripture and daily life, making it a deeply personal and insightful journal.
DeleteI particularly appreciate how you link Mark 8:22-26 to transformation in both faith and personal discipline. Your reflections on Mark 8:14-21 also highlight an important spiritual truth—discernment in what nourishes us. You emphasize both the boundless provision of Christ and the need to reject tempting but hollow alternatives.