The Difference Between Having Questions and Unbelief

Today’s passage is Mark 8:1-13.  With an open mind and a humble heart, read this passage and see what sticks out to you in this passage.  Is there a verse, a phrase, or a lesson you think the Holy Spirit may be highlighting for you in this passage?  After you’ve thought about the passage yourself a bit, read the GAME sharing below.  Let’s go!

Mark 8:1-10 (NIV)
¹  During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said,
²  “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat.
³  If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.”
⁴  His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?”
⁵  “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied.
⁶  He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people, and they did so.
⁷  They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them.
⁸  The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
⁹  About four thousand men were present. And having sent them away,
¹⁰  he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.

On verses 1-10:  Like when Jesus fed the five thousand in Mark 6, here we see:

– It was Jesus’ heart of compassion for the people, not the desire to put on a show, that led Jesus to feed the people.  Out of the heart the mouth speaks, and out of the heart ministry happens.  It all begins with the heart.  No wonder Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard our heart, for it is the well spring of life.

– Jesus involves his disciples.  Wise Jesus would rather involve a team than be a one man show.

– Despite having seen Jesus do incredible things (including an even bigger miracle by feeding 5,000+ people earlier), the disciples still act as though what Jesus is suggesting (feeding a crowd of 4,000+ people) is impossible.  Like the disciples, sometimes we can be so slow to learn.  We’ve seen God do amazing things and yet we don’t believe Him to do miracles that are even smaller than what we’ve already seen.

– Instead of focusing on and complaining about what they don’t have, Jesus starts with what he and his disciples have, and he gives thanks for it.

Mark 8:11-13 (NIV)
¹¹  The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven.
¹²  He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it.”
¹³  Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side.

On verses 11-13:  It is perfectly okay to have honest questions, but having questions and having unbelief are two different things.  Unbelief is the refusal to believe no matter how many questions you ask and how many answers you get.  What is a symptom of unbelief?  You keep asking God for new signs and new evidence even after God has already shown you plenty of evidence.  That’s what was happening with the Pharisees.

The Pharisees had witnessed Jesus do incredible miracles, one after another, but instead of believing in Jesus they just asked Jesus for more signs.  Unbelief wants to avoid the personal responsibility of choosing to believe by requiring God or others to do more and more.   But as we see in verse 12, God will not play that game.

One day you will need to give an account to God for what you do with what He showed you throughout your lifetime.  At that point, “You didn’t give me enough signs” will not be an excuse (see Romans 1:18-20).  The question is not “God, how about another sign?”  The question is: will you look at what God already has shown you, humble yourself and believe?

Jesus, I pray that I would not be hindered by unbelief, whether it’s my own or others’.  Thank You that with You all things are possible.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN!