“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?’”
- Mark 8:18-21 -

When Jesus said to the disciples, "Watch out the yeast (bad influence) of Pharisees", the disciples thought it was in reference to their bread problem. Their hearts were occupied with the worries of bread (for us, poor economy). So Jesus questioned them on what He had done with the five loaves and with the seven loaves. They answered correctly for each one. Jesus then asked them if they still don't understand. Matthew 16:12 says, "Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees." Jesus’ efforts were not in vain; they understood Jesus' teaching. We are so occupied with our urgent need and so easily forget who Jesus is and what He has done for us. Our Christian walk is to fix our eyes on Jesus and grow in faith, in His words and the Spirit.

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, open my eyes to see who you truly are so that I may be mature in faith and character.