41 Mark 8 Have you ever taken a math test and realized after that you don’t get it? Well, you are in good company. In Mark 8, Jesus gives His disciples a math test in order to jog their memory of all that He has done. And after He is done, the disciples still don’t get it! The disciples had just witnessed Jesus feed 4,000 people with just 7 loaves and a few fish. They had picked up 7 basketfuls of leftovers. And earlier in their time with Jesus, they had watched Him feed 5,000 people with 5 loaves of bread and two fish. In that miracle, there were 12 basketfuls left over. Interestingly, one basket for each disciple to carry as a reminder that God always does more than you need!! And so here in Mark 8 is the second miracle of Jesus feeding a multitude. And the disciples get in the boat after and start arguing because nobody brought bread! Don’t take my word for it. Look at His Word! Mark 8:14-21 (NIV) 14 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15 “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.” 16 They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.” 17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” “Twelve,” they replied. 20 “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven. 21 He said to them, “Do you still not understand?” They are arguing about bread after the second feeding of a multitude. In verse 15, Jesus warns them not to let Pharisee thinking contaminate their way of life and even puts it in a bread analogy. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees.” In other words, don’t let religion spoil your relationship. They miss the point altogether and go right back to talking about the bread they forgot! Jesus asks them again, “Why are you talking about bread?” He implies through questions that they still haven’t caught on spiritually and have forgotten all that He has done. Then, in verses 19 and 20, Jesus gives them the math test to help them remember! They got the right answer on the math test, but they missed the righteous answer of the Messiah right in front of them. The test was to remind them that God always provides. God always comes through. And it is the person behind the miracle that they are missing!! Do you realize they are arguing about having no bread when they are in the boat with The Bread of Life!! Jesus hasn’t left. The miracle worker is still there. He hasn’t nor ever will lose His power. Miracles are His signature. Leftovers are His specialty. Meeting needs is His calling card. And reminding disciples is His way of teaching them. And look at verse 21. He said to them, “Do you still not understand?” Or, “Guys do you still not get it?” Maybe you need a reminder today about whatever you are arguing about. Maybe God needs to remind you about all that He has added to your life and all the leftovers He has provided. Remember who He is and let’s start getting it spiritually!! .