Aware of this, He said to them, “Why are you discussing that you do not have any bread? Don’t you understand or comprehend? Is your heart hardened? Do you have eyes, and not see, and do you have ears, and not hear? And do you not remember?     Mark 8:17-18 HCSB

In our Scripture passage today, Jesus has just fed over 4,000 people with seven loaves of bread and a couple pieces of fish. When they had eaten until they were full, the disciples gathered 7 large baskets full of leftovers. They got into a boat and went to a place called the district of Dalmanutha.

In Dalmanutha the Pharisees tested Jesus by asking for a sign. Jesus told them no sign would be given. They got back into the boat and realized they had only one loaf of bread. Jesus was aware of their concern.

Now let’s think about this for a minute. Imagine you are a disciple and you have just witnessed Jesus feeding over 4.000 people with seven loaves of bread. Doesn’t it seem a little odd that you would be worried about having only one loaf to feed 13 people?

Jesus began by asking why they were discussing this matter. He then asked if they understood or comprehended? Didn’t they get it? They were with Jesus Christ. They had seen Him perform miracles. If He could feed over 4,000 with seven loaves, wouldn’t you think He could feed 13 with one loaf?

Sadly, many of us are like Jesus’ disciples. We witness miracles in our lives, we see God’s goodness and still we don’t get it. We look at what we have, and we worry it’s not enough. If we have Jesus, we have all we need.

In Isaiah 6:9, God told Isaiah to tell the people, “Keep on listening, but do not perceive; Keep on looking, but don’t understand.” Sadly, God knew Isaiah’s ministry would result in increased hardening of the people. They would resist Isaiah’s prophecy and eventually be taken into Babylonian captivity.

If only they had seen with their eyes, heard with their ears and understood with their hearts they could have turned from their evil ways and been healed (Isaiah 6:10). God had had enough of their rebellion. He was letting Isaiah know to continue prophesying even though they wouldn’t listen.

Perhaps you are talking to someone who just doesn’t get it. Perhaps you are watching your loved ones walk around in utter confusion because they are unwilling to let go of their hard hearts. Don’t give up. Keep praying for them. Pray that they will see and hear and understand.

I spent many years not getting it. I thought I could give God a little leftover time and He would be fine with that. I couldn’t understand why He wasn’t blessing my halfhearted effort. I finally came to understand He wants it all. I had to surrender myself to Him. I had to submit to doing things His way.

This was the best decision I’ve ever made. I still go through hard times, but I’m never alone in them. He walks me through.

My prayer for you today is that any blindness or deafness will be healed. I pray you will see with your eyes and hear with your ears and understand with your hearts. When we do this, we aren’t focused on what we don’t have. We are grateful for what God has provided and we understand He will take good care of us.

Have a great day!