Mark 8

This devotion was written to accompany the Venture Church 2023 Bible Reading Plan.

You know the saying, "don't miss the forest for the trees!" It's a powerful warning to step back and zoom out to see the bigger picture of what's happening around you. For those of us who really like to see the beauty in details, we can often miss the larger story playing out, or even the higher perspective that brings all those details together.

Or maybe you're like my husband and you can miss the trees for the forest! It must be nice to only see those pies in the sky and forget there are any details at all!

We see this cliche clearly playing out here in Mark 8.

• Even after Jesus multiplied the five loaves and two fish for five thousand, the disciples are puzzled about how seven loaves and a few fish can feed four thousand.

• The Pharisees have seen plenty of miracles involving real people, but they'd really like to see a more spectacular sign.

• After hearing Jesus teach and believing in Him as the Messiah, Peter rebukes the idea of Jesus being a suffering Savior.

As the disciples spend time with Jesus and experience His miracles and teachings, sometimes they act like ... humans, shocker! It's easy for us to hold them to high standards and expect perfect holiness from them, but they are just like us. Easily distracted, sometimes stubborn and typically a few steps behind. And the Pharisees?! They might as well be called Bible Belt Christians.

Here's the point -- we can be right up in the middle of Jesus' work and miss Jesus Himself. Yikes. The disciples did it over and over again. They walked with Jesus, they performed miracles alongside Him, they witnessed His power ... and they missed the point that Jesus was in their midst. The Pharisees had every bit of proof that Jesus was the Promised Messiah, but they kept asking for more and more.

As you walk through the New Testament in this year's reading plan -- or even as you walk through your days in communion and communication with God -- don't miss Jesus.

• Don't miss the miracle happening right now because you're stressed out about a long-term plan.

• Don't miss Jesus being the actual answer when you'd rather be given a five-step self-care process.

• Don't miss Jesus sitting with you when you'd rather focus on how lonely you feel.

• Don't miss the forgiveness Jesus died for because you can't rationalize how to forgive yourself.

• Don't miss the promise of Heaven while storing up treasures here on Earth.