“Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear?” Mark 8:18a NIV
Who would you guess Jesus was speaking to when He asked this question?
If you’re like me, the Pharisees were your first guess. Why? Because they were highly religious, but they never seemed to be on the same page as Jesus. They just didn’t seem to get it.
But Jesus wasn’t speaking to the Pharisees, He was speaking to His disciples, to those who had followed him for a few years, who had witnessed the miracles, and had the benefit of hearing Him teach again and again.
He went on to ask, “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 8:18b-21 NIV
When God does something in our lives, showing Himself faithful, providing, healing, guiding or rescuing us, He expects us to gain understanding. As we experience His faithfulness and witness His power on our behalf, we should be able to apply that insight and trust Him more in future situations. How His heart must break when we need to be retaught the same lessons again and again, when we seem to be stuck in the same spiritual place and He asks in wonder, “Do you still not understand?”
Are you gaining insight as God works in your life? Is your faith increasing as a result of His faithfulness? Are you learning to trust Him more?