August 22, 2018
Mark 8:14-21 Living Bible
The Word of God always puts things into perspective for me. For example, today’s passage reminds me that the things I may find myself worrying about do not trouble the Lord. The world and sin are like pinches of yeast that try to permeate our souls—mind, will, emotions—with worry, fear, and minutia that are meaningless when we consider the immense power of God to save and his plan for our lives. The peace of God is given to keep our hearts and minds focused on Christ, so we can accomplish everything the Lord brings for us to do. Why do we allow ourselves to be distracted by things that try to dominate our lives and cause us such unrest?
The Apostle Paul exhorts us to guide our thoughts toward “…whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (Phil. 4:8). The Word must be given the power to rule our lives. Jesus is the Bread of Life—the Living Word of God—and upon him alone should we focus and feast. We take his Word in and allow it to feed us with good things to think about and honorable ways to live before him.
Mark 8:14-21
14 But the disciples had forgotten to stock up on food before they left and had only one loaf of bread in the boat.
15 As they were crossing, Jesus said to them very solemnly, “Beware of the yeast of King Herod and of the Pharisees.”
16 “What does he mean?” the disciples asked each other. They finally decided that he must be talking about their forgetting to bring bread.
17 Jesus realized what they were discussing and said, “No, that isn’t it at all! Can’t you understand? Are your hearts too hard to take it in? 18 ‘Your eyes are to see with—why don’t you look? Why don’t you open your ears and listen?’ Don’t you remember anything at all?
19 “What about the 5,000 men I fed with five loaves of bread? How many basketfuls of scraps did you pick up afterwards?”
“Twelve,” they said.
20 “And when I fed the 4,000 with seven loaves, how much was left?”
“Seven basketfuls,” they said.
21 “And yet you think I’m worried that we have no bread?”
Prayer: Lord, when I find myself worrying, I know my faith needs to take action. Help me bring every thought to you in obedience and exchange it for the True Bread that satisfies and feeds my trust in you. I claim peace, because you lack nothing; therefore, I have everything I need. In Jesus’ name. Amen.