Do Ye Not Remember?

Mark 8:1-21 (text: vs. 17-18)

The Bible records how Jesus miraculously fed the multitudes on two separate occasions (Mt. 14:15-20; 15:32-38; Mk. 6:35-44; 8:1-9).

These two miracles occurred within the span of a few weeks or couple of months, at the most.

It is amazing how soon the disciples forgot about the feeding of the 5,000. Just a few hours after miraculously feeding the 5,000, the disciples are in a storm on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus comes walking on the water and calms the storm. Then we read, “They were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened” (Mk. 6:51-52).

Again, within a matter of weeks after feeding the 5,000 Jesus is faced with another hungry multitude. And what did the disciples say? They could have said, “Hey Jesus, here is another opportunity for You to feed another multitude. And this time there are only 4,000, so it should not be a problem for You, since we’ve already seen You feed 5,000!” But instead, they say, “From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?” (Mk. 8:4). Amazing? But, aren’t we also guilty of forgetting how God has worked in our lives?

Despite the disciples hardness of heart, Jesus miraculously feeds these 4,000 people (Mk. 8:6-9).

Jesus and the disciples then depart to the west side of the Sea of Galilee where He is tempted by the Pharisees seeking another sign (vs. 10-11). Jesus had already given many signs, and would not be tempted by their unbelief. He departs again in a ship (vs. 12-13).

In the boat Jesus warned His disciples about “the leaven of the Pharisees” (vs. 14-15). True to form, the disciples miss the whole point. While Jesus is warning about the leaven of an evil heart of unbelief, His disciples are only thinking about not having any physical bread (v. 16)

Jesus makes a direct correlation between a hardened heart and a failure to remember (vs. 17-18). Within the short span of a few weeks, the disciples failed to learn the spiritual lessons of the two miraculous feedings of the 5,000 and 4,000.

They saw God’s works with their eyes… They heard God’s Word with their ears, but they missed it (v. 18). Their minds were so cluttered with the concern for physical food, they missed the spiritual. This should be a warning to all of us—Don’t miss the spiritual lessons God is trying to teach you because you are too focused on the material things of this life.

Jesus uses the baskets of these miracles as a “teaching moment” to remind His disciples of some vital truths, we should remember also.

I.   The PROVISION of the baskets.

Jesus is not only sufficient—He is always MORE THAN ENOUGH (vs.19-20 cf. Eph. 3:20).

The lesson in providing more than enough is—In every thing He does for us, there is always something we should take away. He wants us to learn something from what He does for us.

A.  He is more than enough to SAVE anyone (Heb. 7:25).

B.  He is more than enough to SUPPLY all your needs.

Christ’s disciples are concerned about what they did not have (bread—v. 16), while forgetting the Supplier of bread was in the boat with them!

Christians often do the same thing— While we are saved from hell by the power of God, we often doubt God to supply for us or help us in our daily lives. If He can provide salvation for you, He can certainly provide for your daily needs.

“Do ye not remember…”—When you forget about the baskets of God’s blessings in your life, you are just like these disciples. Your heart is becoming hardened!

C. He is more than enough to SUSTAIN you in your trials.

“Do ye not remember” all the blessings God did for you in 2015?