Again
Mark 8:1-13

The plot sounds familiar: a hungry crowd, a compassionate Jesus, and a perplexed set of disciples. And given the disciples participation with feeding 5000 in Mark 6, their question in Mark 8 sounds strange.

“How can one feed these people with bread in this desolate place?”

Didn’t they watch Jesus keep breaking five loaves and two fish to satisfy the hunger of 5000? And didn’t they collect twelve baskets full of leftovers for themselves after everyone was full? Why would they now ask how these people could be fed?

Why would we? We see Christ work in our lives today only to doubt his ability tomorrow. Confronted with new challenges, our memories of past grace are short-lived.

Our inconsistencies are enough to make us cry out, “O wretched man that I am!” And we wouldn’t be the first (Romans 7:21-24).

But still, like those early disciples, we keep on following Jesus. Not because we are strong and have it all together, but because Jesus is and does.