Forgetfulness
by Verena Johnson
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His disciples answered, ‘But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?’ (Mark 8:4)
Back in my Sunday school days, I used to get this story confused with the feeding of the five thousand. Was it five thousand or four thousand? Five loaves or seven loaves? It took me a while to work out that they were actually two different stories!
As I read this story of the feeding of the four thousand, I can’t help but wonder how the disciples could be so thick. I can’t believe they would even ask the question, ‘But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?’
Don’t they remember how Jesus fed five thousand people and had 12 basketsful left over? It was only two chapters ago! This is a much smaller crowd, and they’re looking right at the one who did that amazing miracle. Not only that, but since that miracle, they’ve also seen Jesus walk on water, still a storm, and do some incredible healings. How can they not know what Jesus is capable of? Why is no one saying confidently, ‘We know you’ve got this, Jesus’ or ‘You can do anything’?
Just like the disciples, we forget what Jesus did for us already. We forget what we’ve already seen him do in our lives. We can know who he is and that he’s right there with us and still be a bit thick when it comes to facing our current problems, worries and cares.
Our minds and prayers can be full of questions, ‘Where will I get …?’, ‘How will I be able to …?’, ‘Why is this happening to me?’, and ‘What can I do?’
We forget that Jesus not only has all the answers, but he is the answer!
Have a close look at who he is. Remember what he has done for you. How he suffered, died and rose for you so you could be redeemed and have an eternal future with him. Reflect on your life and where you have seen him at work.
You can confidently face anything when Jesus is with you.
Jesus has got this, whatever ‘this’ you are facing at the moment.
Jesus can when you can’t and when no one else can either.
Jesus can bring good out of any and every situation.
Jesus, thank you that you are with me every moment of my life. Thank you for everything you have done for me. Help me remember who you are and what you can do when I face problems, cares and worries. Help me look to you in everything. Amen.
Verena is a Church Worker Support Officer for the LCA Church Worker Support Department, where it is her privilege to support congregations, pastors, lay workers, employees and volunteers of LCA. In her spare time, she is involved in drama ministry, women’s ministry and prayer ministry. She has three children and eight grandchildren in three different states.
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