Live 4 The LORD

READ

14 Now they had forgotten to bring bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. 15  And he cautioned them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” 16 And they discussed it with one another, saying•, “We have no bread.” 17  And 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? 18 Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? 19  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.” 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.” 21 And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”  (Mark 8:14–21, RSV2CE)

REFLECT

Jesus says something. He means it spiritually. 

The apostles discuss it from an earth/worldly perspective. 

Jesus asks why are they worried about bread. Do they not understand the miracle that he can supply bread out of little. 

The apostles eyes, ears, and hearts are hardened and they cannot understand he is speaking spiritually and that he can supply bread when needed. 

Beware of the leaven of Pharisees and Herod means they are mixing into the teachings  lies or something not right that can spread to the whole people. It is unbelief due to lies or legalism, not being converted in heart to love God and his ways because of his love and care for our souls. 

RESOLUTION

I must in humility as God what he means and how I should look at what he is telling me or I may miss the point. He may mean something from a spiritual perspective not earthly. 

Jesus can do all things, I am not to worry about temporal things. I am to watch myself for possible ways I am not letting myself be converted in heart. I can do all the right things but my heart can be far from God. 

The church holds the truth. But I can obey the church and not let my heart be softened toward God who loves me. He wants to have a love relationship. If I love Him I will obey. But I will obey because he loves me and knows best and I trust. I don’t obey to get something. I obey because of love and trust in the one who died to be with me forever. 

Lord, give me your way of seeing. I am trying to earn your love instead of believing I have it. I need your grace to covert my unbelief.

REST

Thank you Jesus for your love. Thank you for coming to tell me what is best for me. Thank you for leaving your church to hold the truths that keep us close to you. Help me love you and obey you because of love not to earn it but because you already do. You want a love relationship not a slave relationship. I will rest in you knowing you have called me. And though I am still broken, I am getting better and better as my soul learns to cut off what is killing it. With your grace I can do all things. I love and trust in you! Amen. 

I believe you and your word! When I start to doubt I will not look to others, I will look to you and believe what you have said. You love me and came to save me.