14th February 2012 Mark 8:14-21

The Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod
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?”

Poor Jesus to have his disciples constantly bemused by his meanings; in this passage he speaks to them like a father might speak to his child when they keep getting things wrong.  There's love, but also an exhaustion of constant explanations.
 
Poor disciples, it's a confusing business following Jesus and all his many lessons.  Is he talking about the practicalities of life now or is it a metaphor?  Is this a challenge or just a question of facts?  What is he looking for?  I am sure I'm not alone in feeling much sympathy for the disciples, aren't we all in their shoes every day when we encounter our lives through Christ.
 
Jesus you lead us and guide us but we fall short in our understanding, we love that you stay patient and keep taking us forward, thank you.  Amen.