The Lenten season has been one of both repentance and surrender. It’s been equal parts challenging and fulfilling as I remember the peace that comes from resting in the love of Christ and the grace of God in the everyday moments.
A couple morning ago, the daily lectionary invited me to read Mark 8:14-21. I discovered such a rich and beautiful Bible story that doesn’t get nearly the attention it deserves. The episode occurs just after Jesus feeds the Four Thousand and involves his disciples worrying over their lack of bread.
Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them saying, “Watch out, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread. And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not 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 take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven”. And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?” (Mark 8: 4-12)
This story, when you simplify it, is pretty funny. The disciples have just seen Jesus turn a few loaves of bread into enough to feed 5,000 with leftovers, and then again, to feed 4,000 with leftovers, yet they’re still worried about running out of bread!
Reading this, I felt seen in my ridiculous humanity. I’ve fallen into patterns of behavior that I’ve previously addressed by surrendering my need for control and trusting in God. Why did I end up back in this place of self-reliance and worry? Seeing that the disciples, who were literally with Christ in the flesh, likewise failed to trust His provision, makes me feel a little bit better.
My Lutheran Study Bible has a great explanation to accompany these verses: “The disciples remember their lack of bread but forget about the One who is with them, the very Lord and Creator of all. At times we are similarly hard-hearted and shortsighted, focusing so much on our need for daily bread that we forget to call upon Jesus, the very bread of life. Nevertheless, Jesus patiently teaches his disciples, showing over and over that He alone can satisfy our deepest needs.”
Praying that your Lenten season is a blessing to you too.
