Seeing Was Not Believing

The disciples replied, “Where would we get enough food here in the wilderness for such a huge crowd?” [Matthew 15.33]

Great question, right?

Well, not so much. It hadn't been that long since Jesus fed 5000 men (plus women and children) with practically nothing. His disciples were there - they had not only seen that miracle, but had actually participated in it.

Imagine, for just a moment,  witnessing five loaves of bread and two fish being broken in a manner that fed so many people. Do you think that would leave an impression on your mind?

I would think so.

But what I think and what I do, more often than not, do not coincide. Certainly, that was the case with Jesus' disciples. Their question here was proof that even seeing was not believing.

Why is that? Do you suppose after seeing the 5000 fed as they were that, after time, the disciples forgot? Or, did they perhaps reason within themselves that something else quite explainable actually took place and not a miracle? We just don't know. But we do know they seemed to make no connection whatsoever between the feeding of the 5000 and what might take place at this time with the 4000 people needing food.

We can call the disciples dull if we want to, but, I think to call them dull is a huge indictment upon ourselves.

I have witnessed miracles. After time however, I have reasoned how those miracles might have happened naturally or coincidentally. But where does that reason come from? Well, for starters, it comes from within... it comes from my heart. Remember yesterday's post "Follow Your Heart..."? My heart cannot be trusted.

I can only speak for myself, but it seems I am always hesitant about expecting a miracle. Why is that? Why, even after having witnessed miracles, do I continue to be dull when it comes to the next miracle-opportunity? It is because my heart tells me I cannot 'reason' my way for 'whatever' to happen, so I do not expect it. And, because miracles of the past have been eventually 'reasoned away' by my deceptive heart, they no longer remain supportive of future miracles.

This is all the result of a fallen nature. It was inherited from Adam and Eve. There is only one way to overcome my deceptive fallen heart - it will only be silenced by the presence and application of God's Word (the revelation of Jesus and the authority inherited in Him) with the help of the Holy Spirit. If the disciples struggled with it, I can be sure I will struggle with it as well.

Father, help me to listen to Your Word and not my heart. Help me to test my heart by the standard of Jesus in every circumstance. I want to glorify You on the earth and not be dull...