Slow Learner

I admire Jesus' patience.

I seem to be a slow learner. The truth is, and I know this in my bones, Christ has always taken care of me and my family. Through lean economic times, health crises, and war, Jesus has always been there. He's always blessed and provided. I can look back on His proven faithfulness, kindness and wisdom over multiple decades.

But when a new challenge comes up, I am ashamed of how slow I am to trust Him. It's like I have to relearn the same lesson again and again. If I were the Teacher, I would flunk me.

I guess I'm not alone. Remember the Twelve? After Christ had performed many miracles, after He had twice multiplied tiny quantities of food to feed thousands of people, the disciples were all in a lather because they had only one loaf of bread (see Mark 8:14f).

Jesus spent extra time cautioning them against the insidious contagion of unbelief—the leaven of the Pharisees (v. 15). The Lord took them back to His feeding of the 5000, and then the 4000. He jogged their memories on the details—how many broken pieces were left over, guys?

Remembering those details revealed, conspicuously, that the overflow from both miracles was an abundant provision for the Twelve. Jesus not only cared for helpless crowds, but His disciples received more than enough just in what was left over. Time and again, He took care of them, never forgot about them, always had their best interests at heart.

“Do you not yet understand?” He asked (v. 21).

I admire Christ for not giving up on His spectacularly dense disciples. Including me.