Exodus 12-13, Matthew 16 • Key Verse: Matthew 16:12

Those of us who enjoy telling a good story usually agonize inwardly when we have to explain it. Hopefully, at some point in the retelling of the story, a light will come on and the person will say, “Oh, now I get it!”

Imagine how Jesus might have felt when His disciples still were not getting it. He said, “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (v. 6). They thought, Did He say that because we didn’t bring any bread? So, to those Jesus addressed as “You of little faith,” He asked, “Do you still not understand?” (v. 9).

Their focus was on the physical; His was on the spiritual. They thought of bread for the body; He thought of food for the soul. In the miracles of feeding the multitudes, Jesus had demonstrated His ability to meet their needs. They could trust Him to provide for them. Now, though, He wanted their attention to be on spiritual matters, not just physical.

When you pray, “Give us this day our daily bread,” are you looking for just that which is physical, or are you asking for that which is food for the soul?

Are you a careful listener? Not all teaching is correct. Listen carefully and then compare all teaching you hear with the Bible.

Woodrow Kroll & Tony Beckett
www.backtothebible.in