Bread In Our Hands: Faith In Jesus

- 7 minutes read - 1291 words

In Mark chapter 6, we see the miracle of Jesus walking on the water. There is an interesting commentary there by Mark - Mark 6:52 " for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened." When Jesus walked on the water and then calms the seas, the disciples were astonished. They were surprised because Jesus was going beyond their expectations or comprehension of the physical world. And in that moment, Mark makes a comment that they did not understand about Jesus or his ministry. Their faith was still like a baby’s understanding of Jesus. Jesus had fed the 5000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish and had 12 baskets remaining. Despite that great miracle, the disciples had no clue who was with them.

Later in Mark 8, we see the feeding of the 4000. Jesus used 7 loaves and few fish and this time they had 7 baskets remaining. After these 2 incidents, and after the incident of Jesus walking on the water, the disciples faith is still not perfect. In the same chapter 8, we read Jesus hears the disciples talking amongst themselves - and he asks them do you still not understand? vs. 17-21.

17 And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet comprehend or understand? Do you still have your heart hardened?18 Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember,19 when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces you picked up?” They *said to Him, “Twelve.”20 “When I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of broken pieces did you pick up?” And they *said to Him, “Seven.”21 And He was saying to them, “Do you not yet understand?”

What point is Jesus trying to make?

Jesus is not asking the disciples about the specifics of the miracles so they remember the miracles. He’s not reminding them of the details so they could better understand the miracles, but He is asking the questions to know who is performing the miracles. He’s asking so they remember the miracle giver, so that they have faith in the miracle giver. Jesus is essentially saying that if He is with us, then there is nothing to worry about. If there is only a half of a piece of bread or 10 loaves, Jesus is with us. If our finances are lacking, Jesus is with us. If our health is troubled, Jesus is with us. When we suffer loss, Jesus is with us. How often do we try to take matters into our own hands or to try to solve the problems ourselves? We forget that we have a access to the King of Kings, that we know the God of the universe, the Sovereign God. If He is with us, what is there to be concerned about? What is there to fear?

In John 6:47-51, Jesus says that He is the bread of life. That even the manna that was eaten by the forefathers was from Him. Through all of these things, Jesus is saying that He can satisfy our needs, no matter how deep. He will sustain and fill us.

After World War II, the Allies had created orphanages or camps for the many orphans who were orphaned as a result of the conflicts. The caretakers noticed the orphans had difficulty sleeping at night. They were well fed throughout the day and there was no reason to be scared or concerned, but at night they could not sleep. The caretakers came up with an idea - before each child went to bed, they would put a piece of bread in their hands. Before long, the children were sleeping. They were well fed and full throughout the day, but they had no hope for tomorrow. In their unconscious minds, the orphaned children were not sure if they would be fed the next day. But when they had bread in their hands at night as they laid down on their bed, they knew at least they had that piece of bread for tomorrow and they were able to sleep.

Jesus gives us hope that no one else can. He satisfies our deepest needs. Jesus gives us bread for our hands - the bread of the promise of eternal life. Or the bread of hope that “My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19). If we have that, what have we to fear? What an assurance!

The gospel of Mark records another illustration where Jesus uses bread in a miracle. In Mark 7, we read about the Syro Phoenician woman. We know the story. Jesus is in Tyre south of Sidon. He’s not in Israel any longer. He’s in Gentile land. The Bible records some 40 miracles of Jesus, most of them happened in Israel, only 2 or 3 happened outside of Israel. This Syro Phoenician woman came seeking for a miracle that her daughter would be delivered from a demonic spirit. She hears that Jesus is in town and goes to see Him. Jesus does not give her any attention, and in fact He insults her. When she pleads with Jesus to heal her daughter, Jesus says it is not fitting to throw the children’s bread to dogs. Jesus not only says the Israelites are the children, but in the same sentence he compares everyone else to dogs. If it was you or I we would have left and said forget it we don’t need a miracle, but she says something spectacular.

She showed her persistence and says that even the dogs under the table feed on the children’s crumbs. If she was only seeking a miracle, she would have left. This door was closed and she would go elsewhere. But if this is the only door that could lead to a true deliverance, what would you do? You’ll keep on knocking. She knew Jesus was the only door and continues knocking despite the rejection. Jesus says “O woman, great is your faith” and instantly heals her daughter. We see here 2 insights - (1) Jesus was not insulting to be insulting but to see and showcase the depth of her faith. (2) Although not specifically stated, we can imagine that the only reason Jesus came to this Gentile area was for the sole purpose of healing this woman’s daughter.

Through this great faith, this Syro Phoenician woman shows 5 characteristics that we all should have:

(1) Her Humility: even though she was called a dog, she was humble enough to keep trying.

(2) Her patience: she patiently endured the rejection. We read here and also in Matthew 15, that Jesus did not pay any attention to her. The disciples were asking her to go away. But she was patient.

(3) Her prayer: When she comes to Jesus, she falls at his feet. In Matthew 15, we read that she pleads “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me!" and “Lord, help me!” She was pleading with Jesus, it was a cry of desperation. You can sense how much she needed Jesus.

(4) Her perseverance: She was rejected many times, but she kept at it until the pangs of her heart could be allayed.

(5) Finally, her faith: Jesus finally responds to her and says “O woman, great is your faith. Because of this answer, go your way. Your daughter is healed.

May we have these 5 qualities in us and may we truly understand Jesus, not in a superficial way, but truly knowing that Jesus will fulfill our deepest needs.

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