They forgot to take bread; and they didn't have more than one loaf in the boat with them. He charged them, saying, "Take heed: beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod." They reasoned with one another, saying, "It's because we have no bread." Jesus, perceiving it, said to them, "Why do you reason that it's because you have no bread? Don't you perceive yet, neither understand? Is your heart still hardened? Having eyes, don't you see? Having ears, don't you hear? Don't you remember? When I broke the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" They told him, "Twelve." Mark 8:14–19 WEB.

The disciples had forgotten to bring enough bread for their trip. They only had one loaf on the boat with them, and at least twelve disciples were there. When Jesus told them to beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Herod, they began to look at their physical needs immediately. Because of their oversight of not bringing bread, they probably looked down at their feet and assumed Jesus was scolding them.

When they began to look at themselves and their failures, Jesus was grieved. He told them, "Why do you reason that it's because you have no bread? Don't you perceive yet, neither understand? Is your heart still hardened? Having eyes, don't you see? Having ears, don't you hear? Don't you remember?"

Jesus didn't blame the disciples for the lack of provisions but for their lack of faith in His provision. It's always like that. God speaks to us, and we immediately begin to look at ourselves as a failure: "We have let Him down," or "We don't have enough for that." Then He says, "Why can't you understand that I wasn't talking about that? Can't you see? Don't you remember the things I've done for you?"

When God calls us to do something, we often look at what we have available and then say, "We don't have enough." Yet, that is completely irrelevant to His plan, for His provision comes with His vision. Jesus had already taken five loaves of bread and fed five thousand, and twelve baskets of broken pieces remained. Another time, He had taken seven loaves of bread and fed four thousand, and there were seven baskets of broken pieces left over. One loaf was enough. There was no shortage of bread in that boat.

The disciples were blinded by an immediate need. They had forgotten that as they put God's kingdom first, their needs would be met, just as the thousands had been fed. "Don't seek what you will eat or what you will drink; neither be anxious. For the nations of the world seek after all of these things, but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek God's Kingdom, and all these things will be added to you" (Luke 12:29–31 WEB).

After all their time with Jesus, the disciples still couldn't see past their immediate physical needs. They were yet blind, deaf, hardened, and insensitive to the Spirit of God, much like us. When they got to land, the next miracle that Jesus did was opening the eyes of a blind man (Mark 8:22).

Don't look at your immediate needs in fear, and focus on your failures. Instead, focus on the kingdom of God, and the things you need will be added unto you. As you trust God and seek Him, He will take care of you. He will make a way where there is no way. He can make the impossible become part of our testimony.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please open my eyes and ears. Help me to see and hear what the Spirit says to the church. I want to be a part of what you are doing today. Please speak to me and through me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.” James 5:13 ~ If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network. If you are interested in joining the prayer team, here is how to get started Prayer Partners.