Devotion - Thursday, February 5

We have been talking about bread all week this week.  Reading from Mark 8, we came across the stories of Jesus feeding the 4,000 with just a few loaves.  The next paragraphs acknowledge the disciples realization that they too were short on bread.  Jesus assures them; he tells them the "one loaf" will be enough.

I am sure that I had noticed before, but I did not remember that in Mark 8 these stories give way to the confession of Peter.  In Mark 8:27-9:1 we have the encounter in which Jesus asks the disciples, "Who do people say that I am?"  and then he asks them "Who do you say that I am?"  These questions - very important questions - are asked immediately after those previous paragraphs about bread.

The stories in the opening verses of Mark should give us opportunity to set aside our anxiousness.  In the first, the feeding of the 4,000, it is Jesus who sees that they will be in need, even before the crowd seems to realize they are in need.  In that first story, we are reminded that God cares for us in ways that we simply take for granted or in stride.  This is not to say that we remain ungrateful, rather than God sees our need before we do and is there, prepared to meet it.  In the second set of stories, Jesus responds to a sense of panic that begins to emerge.  The disciples are worried and arguing among themselves.  Again, God brings a word of calm and assurance.

To name Jesus as Messiah means many things.  From this series of stories, it is surely also appropriate for that to mean that He address our needs - those known to us and those unknown.  To confess Jesus as Messiah, is to express our thanks for the one who sees our needs and meets it - sometimes even before we ask.

This all sounds very familiar to what I wrote on Tuesday, but I think the message bears repeating.  And the additional information added to the earlier words of encouragement is to see in our confession of Jesus an opportunity to have our worry and anxiety set aside.  We live in an environment that is super-charged with reasons for being worried.  "I have two tests this week!"  "My project is due on Monday!"  Those deadlines can surely contribute to nervousness.  Perhaps witnessing to the presence of Christ in our lives is to be the non-anxious presence amid a lot of really worked up folks.

"We have no bread!"  It is okay.  "I am with you" Jesus says.