Mark 8:1-21
Wednesday, 29 September 2021
So He said to them, “How is it you do not understand?” -Mark 8:21
To many Christians or those acquainted with the Bible, the stories of the miracles of Jesus are quite familiar. Yet their understanding of “who Jesus is” is very narrow. Multitudes would like to consider Him as a miracle worker, a healer or one who could empathize with those who were the downcast/downtrodden of the society. Many would like to see Him as good religious figure who influenced mankind with His teachings and way of life. To a few religious, He is for the Sundays of the week or the Christmas or Easter of the year! Who is Jesus to you?
Our reading today of the Feeding of the 4,000 is not just a focus on the miracle Jesus worked. After the miracle and on their way to the other side of the lake, the disciples were arguing on not taking enough bread with them. Jesus admonished them for their failure to understand Him. They had seen Him perform miracles – the feeding of the 5,000 initially (Mark 6); heard Him teach with authority, watched Him walk on the water (Mark 6) thus proving beyond doubt of what He was capable enough to do in any given situation- even provide them enough bread. Yet their hearts were hardened and their inner eyes of perception still closed (Vs.17,18). This is when Jesus spoke to them: “How is it you do not understand?”
This brings the questions to every reader: Who is Jesus to you? How have you understood Him? There are many ways to see Him yet the essentials of Christ’s person as revealed in God’s Word are:
Christ is the express image of God’s person (Heb.1:3). Colossians 1: 15 also states, “He is the image of the invisible God,” He is God come to earth in human form! Christ’s life and ministry on the earth was what God sent Him to do. What He spoke and taught was His Father’s heart! What does it hold for us? Having to reckon with God means to recognize Christ in your life.
Christ created all things- “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible…”(Col.1:16). Christ holds “all things by the word of His power…”(Heb.1:3). We are part of His grand creation. Each of us is a masterpiece of our Creator- not the byproduct of some chance occurrence. We don’t belong to ourselves but to the One who made us!
Christ declared, “I am the way, the truth and the life…” (John 14:6)- no one in history has made such a bold statement as He did. He is the way to the living God; In Him is the truth that you ever needed to know; He is the Source of life and eternal life which He gives to those who accept Him!
There are many other facets of Christ’s character and person we won’t look into detail here- He is definitely our Provider; Sustainer: Protector; Healer…all-Sufficient to meet us at every point of need in life!
Yet how has each of us known Christ Jesus? A peripheral knowledge of Him does not amount to much. If one needs to understand Him for who He really is, an encounter with the living Christ has to happen in one’s life! Jesus is “the true Light which gives light to every man” (John 1:9) which can open the inner eyes of our hearts to know Him as He is. Only a personal experience of Jesus can bring in an understanding of His Person and what He can do in your life!
Will you invite Christ into your life dear friend? Would you understand who He is? HE IS JUST A PRAYER AWAY!
PRAYER: “Christ Jesus, I want to know You as You really are! Would You come into my life that I may experience and understand You? Amen.”
Listen: 'That’s my King!’