When reading the four Gospels, sometimes one has to wonder if the disciples suffered from memory loss. They definitely experienced faith amnesia.
Mark 6:31-44 is the account of the Lord feeding the five thousand by multiplying five loaves and two fishes. In Mark 8:1-9, they were again in the wilderness with a great multitude of four thousand men present. In Mark 8:2, the Lord said, βI have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with Me three days, and have nothing to eat.β In response to this, youβd think the disciples wouldβve said, βLord, simple, just do that miracle again and multiply and create some loaves and fishes like You did the last time!β
Instead they say, βFrom whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?β (Mark 8:4). In other words, βWhere could we possibly go in this desolate place to find food to satisfy all these people?β
The disciples had already seen Christ feed an even greater crowd, but they were still at a loss when a similar problem arose. We canβt be too hard on them though, because we do the exact same thing. We forget what the Lord has done for us in the past, and we doubt, and our faith gives way when difficult circumstances come into our lives. The disciples had to be taught and learn the same lesson again, that of recognizing their own insufficiency in an impossible situation, and their need to depend on the Lord. We too get faith amnesia and have to learn the same lesson over and over again before it gets through to us in our Christian lives.
Admitting that our faith always has room for growth is important for God, by His Word and the circumstances of our lives, to βperfect that which is lacking in your faithβ (1 Thes.Β 3:10). May we have the same honesty of the man who pleaded for the deliverance of his demon-possessed son: βLord, I believe; help Thou mine unbeliefβ (MarkΒ 9:24). source
