Becoming a Stronger Disciple

(Mark 8:1-21) During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.” His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?” “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied. He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When He had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, He broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before the people, and they did so. They had a few small fish as well; He gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. About four thousand men were present. And having sent them away, He got into the boat with His disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha. The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test Him, they asked Him for a sign from heaven. He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it.” Then He left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side. The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.” They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.” Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them? “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” “Twelve,: they replied. “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven.” He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

WHAT A DISCIPLE RECALLS

I need to pay more attention to the Lord’s miracles in my life!

1. Yesterday’s Miracles

A. I need to remember the miracles I’ve seen the Lord do in the past.

B. Remembering yesterday’s miracles will strengthen my faith in Jesus today.

2. Today’s Miracles

(6-8a) He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When He had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, He broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before the people, and they did so. They had a few small fish as well; He gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. The people ate and were satisfied.

A. I need to pay attention to the miracles I see the Lord doing today.

B. Paying attention to today’s miracles will strengthen my faith in Jesus tomorrow.

3. Tomorrow’s Miracles

(11) The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test Him, they asked Him for a sign from heaven.

(12) He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it.”

A. I need to be careful what miracles I expect to see the Lord do tomorrow.

B. Tomorrow’s miracles will be determined by Jesus and no one else.

C. I can better understand tomorrow’s miracles by recalling those from yesterday and today.

(Hebrews 13:8) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

4. Understanding Miracles

(15) “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”

(17) “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember?”

(21) He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

A. Jesus takes care of me through daily miracles – so I can stay focused on Him.

B. If I understand His miracles – I will stay focused on Jesus and His will for my life.