The Bread

The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, asking him for a sign from heaven, to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, ‘Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.’ And he left them, and getting into the boat again, he went across to the other side.

Now the disciples had forgotten to bring any bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, ‘Watch out—beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.’ They said to one another, ‘It is because we have no bread.’ And becoming aware of it, Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?’ They said to him, ‘Twelve.’ ‘And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?’ And they said to him, ‘Seven.’ Then he said to them, ‘Do you not yet understand?’

- Mark 8:11-21

This passage is for me one of the bible passages that I love, because it is in some way a tender and humorous portrayal of human nature, even of Jesus' disciples who don't understand him.

In the beginning, we have Jesus facing those who wish to test him, who doubt him, and they demand a sign. But this is not the way that faith works, and it is not the way that he desires the sheep to know the shepherd. His "faith" is always one of recognition - of a bond of love and trust. It is something that happens within the hearts of people, in depth, and not through signs and wonders.

And so, he's back with his disciples, traveling on, and he tells them to beware the yeast of these people who sow doubt, and fear, and demand signs and proofs. Beware of the way of thinking of those for whom doubt and fear and proofs serve as shields to block the action of the heart, to block love and recognition, and the faith that comes from a positive depth response. Jesus' disiples fail to understand him - and they conclude that he is angry and upset because they forgot to buy bread for their journey, because he has used the analogy of yeast for what it is that this way of thinking does to spoil spiritual bread.

I love, first of all, the humanity portrayed here, that even Jesus' disciples fail to understand his teachings. And I love the evidently frustrated Jesus, who must point out to the disciples that not only do they fail to hear and understand him themselves, but they fail even to remember that he fed thousands from a few loaves of bread - that he is not talking about a shortage of food! In this is contained the love and mercy of this relationship - that where love and relationship is at depth, being perfect in all things is not exactly the emphasis here, and does not create this relationship. He knows their hearts, and their love and loyalty, and even in his frustration their failure does not sever those ties. This little scene about human nature, and the poor understanding that is within our natures teaches us about the humility of who we are and the great love invested in that humble understanding that will always need teaching. Love is the great bridge for our poor ears, and imperfect hearts. And it is humanity that Jesus loves.