Do You Still Not Understand?

From today’s reading…

Six days ago we read in Mark 7 how Jesus corrected the incorrect assumptions of His disciples as He does again today.

When there is confusion, Jesus corrects and explains.

When there is no confusion—just unease or discomfort as in John 6—Jesus does not modify His words.

Today His disciples admit they had personally witnessed Jesus feed thousands of people on multiple occasions yet they still doubted and/or misunderstood who He really was.

It would be like Michael Jordan’s teammates watching him come out of retirement and asking “Do you really think you can win another championship? What? You’re going to win another three championships…in a row? Ahhh…mmkay M.M….are you feeling okay? Fine. Fine. We have nothing better to do so let’s see what ya got.”

Doubting/questioning Jesus, the Bible, and our calling/purpose in life is understandable and even normal.

I’m sure M.J. wondered if he could win another three championships.

I’m sure Tiger Woods wondered if he could win another major tournament.

I’m sure Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and Elon Musk have doubted themselves from time to time.

It’s normal because we are no perfect. We get tired, distracted, frustrated. Setbacks and obstacles show up and test our resolve.

It’s why God sent the Holy Spirit to encourage Jesus when the going got tough, it’s why Jesus sent His disciples out in pairs, and it’s why God brings man and woman together to support one another through the challenges of their lives.

When one is weak, the other is strong, and vice versa.

It is only through helping one another understand and live according to the will of God that we are able to…

Stay the course. Keep the faith. Endure.

Now go sell something.