March 7th- How many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?

How many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect? And do you not remember? Do you not yet understand?

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?” (Mark 8:14-21 NRSV)

Jesus has many questions for the disciples. As we read yesterday, the disciples were with Jesus when he fed the entire crowd with a few loaves of bread- not once, but twice- and with so much abundance that they collected baskets full of leftover pieces. And yet in this story, they are fretting about only having one loaf of bread to share. Jesus wonders why they are anxious, why they don’t remember, and why they don’t understand what he is doing.

How could the disciples not remember the great miracles of feeding the crowds? Why would they become anxious and worried when they have Jesus right there with them? How do they miss the lessons he teaches, the example he lives, and the trust in God he demonstrates as they travel together?

We can be just as forgetful. How often do we forget our own experiences of God’s abundance? How often do we fail to remember the ways God has provided for us- not just once, but twice, and over and over again? How God has given us not just enough, but more than enough?

We forget each time we have doubts, anxiety, fear, or uncertainty about our days. We forget that God is our constant presence, an ever-flowing supply of all that we need. God abundantly provides daily bread… comfort… healing… guidance… strength… love… hope… help.

My journal serves as a reminder for me. Each time I look back on previous daily entries, I am reminded of God’s faithfulness through all of life. The Bible also serves as a journal of faithfulness, doesn’t it? When we need a reminder, maybe that’s the best place to look.

Are you talking to ME?

Today Jesus is asking, “How many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect? And do you not remember? Do you not yet understand?”

Are you currently worried about something in particular? Can you revisit moments in your past when God supplied exactly what you needed, and more? Can you remember a Biblical example of God working through hard situations? Do you see that Christ abides in you, and provides for you, in all times?

How many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect? And do you not remember? Do you not yet understand?

Photo by Bruno Thethe on Unsplash