October 9th~Baskets of Unbelief

Luke 9:7-9


Mark 6:14-29

Matthew 14:1-21

Mark 6:30-44

Luke 9:10-17

John 6:1-15


Mark 6:45-52

Matthew 14:22-33

John 6:16-21

Mark 6:53-56

Matthew 14:34-36

John the Baptist was murdered. He was arrested and killed by King Herod, not for doing anything illegal, but for offending the king by pointing out his affair and adultery. It was obvious that his conscience was bothering him, for when he heard the news of Jesus’ teaching and miracles, he feared that John the Baptist had come back from the dead (Mark 6:16).

We also read two of Jesus’ more well-known miracles, that of feeding the five thousand and walking on water. While these events may seem disconnected, they are not. Both exposed the limits of man, confirmed the unlimited power of God to save, and identified the key to bridge the gap — faith. Let’s take a closer look.

First, in his own power, man is unable to save himself, much less save anyone else. When Jesus told the disciples to feed the crowd that was following them, they exclaimed, “Impossible!” When Peter, who got out of the boat to walk to Jesus, saw the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. Jesus said to him, “You don’t have much faith.” Though we can be so prideful at times, in our fallen state, there is only so much we can do.

On the other hand, Jesus demonstrated His unlimited resources, both in the physical and spiritual worlds, to save us from ourselves. When Peter began to sink, he shouted, “Save me, Lord!” Then, Jesus reached out and grabbed him. When Jesus fed everyone with five loaves and two fish, He was demonstrating that He alone has the power to “feed men” endlessly. What He did in the physical realm that day, He also does in the spiritual realm. He said as much when He called Himself “the Bread of Life. No one who comes to Me will ever be hungry again” (John 6:35). It is interesting that after thousands of people were fed that day, there were twelve baskets of food left over. Perhaps there was one basket for each of the disciples, a reminder of their unbelief.

Finally, what is it that bridges the gulf between our inability to save ourselves and God’s ability to save us for eternity? Faith. But, even the faith to believe is not something that we conjure up; it is not of our own doing. Rather, faith is given to us by God (Ephesians 2:8, 9). In our sinful, hardened hearts, we would never come to God, much less believe in Him. Jesus said, “People cannot come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws them to Me” (John 6:44).

Daily Reflection

Do you recognize your inadequacy before God? Or are you trying to save yourself? If you are relying on your own strength, I have news for you; you will come up short and eventually sink. I am impressed with Peter’s courage. I like his ambition to be and do more than he was, but even he had to reach out and grab the hand of Christ. What then does that say about you?

Have you come to the realization that salvation is not something that you achieved in your own power? Do you recognize that the faith you have, to trust Christ with your eternity, is not your own, but that it was given to you by God? If so, what, then, should be your response?

BiAY.org | Day 282 — 83 Days to Go