Mark Chapter 8 begins with the feeding of the 4000. As you recall approximately 3 months earlier the Lord Jesus had fed the 5000 with 2 small fish and 5 loaves of bread. Since the number recorded was 5000 men some commentators have estimated a crowd of between 15-20,000 people. However in Mark 8 we have almost the same identical set up with the 4000 which means an estimated crowd of between 12-15,000 people. So how do the disciples respond? It's as if they don't even recall the feeding of the 5000 that Jesus had performed only months before. Here is my question. How could it be that the disciples seemed to totally forget about that spectacular miracle and the results? The answer to that question is found in Mark 8:16-21. Jesus knows that their learning and understanding is in direct proportion to the hardness of their hearts. Therefore they aren't able to remember the lessons they should have learned in the feeding of the 5000. And the reason I say this is because in these verses Jesus specifically asks them "don't you remember at all?" The disciples could see physically but not spiritually, the disciples could hear physically but not spiritually. Why not? Because the ability to hear and learn what Jesus says is tied directed to the condition of the heart that relies, depends, trusts and leans on Him totally. If that was true for the disciples, that talked, walked and watched Jesus on a day to day basis for 3 plus years of ministry, could that be true for you and me? In other words is it possible that our spiritual memories have been short circuited due to the hardness of our hearts?
My prayer is that the Lord would soften my heart in such a way that my desires, affections and treasure would be for Him above anything else in my life.
