Blackout

Friday March 26, 2021

Blackout

Do you have no memory ? Mark 8:18

I remember the way the Lord acted. Yes, I want to remember your past miracles. Psalm 77:12

While crossing Lake Tiberias, the disciples find that they forgot to bring some loaves of bread : they only have one loaf for all those in the boat. Jesus, who had just been challenged by the Pharisees, then told his disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod, that is, hypocrisy and immorality.

Concerned about their little problem with food, the disciples make a thought association that shows they did not understand the figurative meaning of Jesus' words. They think he is referring to their lack of forethought. Jesus then reproached them for their lack of memory and their lack of faith (see also Matthew 16: 8). Why worry about food while he's with them ? Had he not fed 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and produced a surplus of twelve baskets ? Hadn't he just fed another 4,000 people with seven loaves of bread, and the leftovers had filled seven baskets ? The Lord ends this reminder with a reprimand in the form of a question which reveals a great sadness on his part : How do you not understand ?

When we forget what the Lord has done for us, thoughts darken. These lapses of memory damage and weaken faith. In fact, they are a symptom of disbelief.

Cantor Asaph relates his own experience on this subject. Tormented in his soul, he wonders if God has rejected him and stopped talking to him (Psalm 77: 8,9). Suddenly he finds the solution to his problems : he remembers the works of God, he thinks of all his work, he reflects on his great deeds (v. 10-12). He then exclaims, full of confidence : You are the God who works miracles (v. 15).

Understand that Jesus, by whom and for whom all things were created (see Colossians 1:16), is able to meet all of our needs. Let us remember what God has given us. Let us count its benefits. The list is long !

Source (Pleasing the Lord)