Have you ever met someone who “just didn’t get it”? You know the type. They live oblivious to how off track their life is. They never seem to learn from their mistakes, in fact, they are a mess but think that everything is O.K.

Sometimes that hot mess may be YOU.

Take heart. Jesus surrounded himself with such as these. His twelve disciples often seemed to demonstrate a phenomenal ability to miss the obvious lessons Jesus taught.

You can read a perfect example of this in Mark 8:9-21.

Jesus had just fed a multitude for the second time, feeding over 4000 with 7 loaves and a few fish. They had 7 baskets of leftovers, but forgot to take some with them on their ensuing trip. Jesus noticed their discussion that centered on their lack of bread. They focused more on their own physical need than on the spiritual mission before them.

In order to bring them to reality Jesus asked a rapid-fire series of seven questions. These questions penetrated their hearts and refocused their attention on more important matters.

These seven questions also serve to challenge us to refocus from our physical needs to the more important spiritual realm. Read them. Consider the answer in your life.

Seven Questions You Need to Answer

1. Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? (Verse 17)

The disciples concerned themselves more with what they lacked materially than what Jesus provided materially. You would expect less worry from men who had just witnessed Jesus feed a multitude on one person’s snack. How often do we focus more on our need than on Jesus’ power to provide?

2. Do you not yet perceive or understand? (Verse 17)

In essence Jesus was asking, “You don’t get it, do you?” His question revealed their failure to view life from a spiritual perspective. Similarly, how often do we think that what we engage with our five senses is all that there is? We fall into a trap of thinking life us just about the tangible and miss the spiritual all around us.

3. Are your hearts hardened? (Verse 17)

A hard heart is the opposite of a teachable heart. Hard hearts neither care to hear what someone else has to say, see a need to hear. When we get to a point that we think we have nothing to learn, we are in trouble.

4. Having eyes do you not see? (Verse 18)

The disciples had seen miracles with their own eyes. They had seen the leftovers from two miraculous feedings. These men had seen blind receive sight, demons cast out, lame walk, and deaf speak. They had personally experienced miracles but did they really see what happened – the power and glory of Christ? How much more do we need to see in order to believe?

5. Having ears do you not hear? (Verse 18)

The disciples had listened to Jesus’ teaching. They had heard the testimony of those whom He set free and healed. They didn’t seem to have a hearing problem, but a listening problem. Jesus speaks in our mess; have we listened?

6. Do you not remember? (Verse 18)

Had the disciples forgotten what Jesus had done? Had they forgotten all that had happened over the last several months? Jesus had demonstrated His sovereignty over creation, people, demons, and circumstances. Could they have so quickly forgotten?

What about us? Have we forgotten the amazing ways God has worked in our lives? Do we remember His provision, supernatural intervention, and providential guidance? Have you forgotten what God has done for you? Do you not believe He can do those things again, or even greater things?

A friend several years ago wrote the following while undergoing cancer treatment:

Yesterday He helped me. Today He did the same.
How long will this continue? Forever, praise His name.

7. Do you not yet understand? (Verse 21)

Jesus asked a final question that challenged their grasp of what it meant to follow Him. With everything that happened, had they still not learned what was really important? Had they not learned the lessons of Kingdom living?

Has our walk with Christ taught us anything about His goodness, faithfulness, power, and glory? Consequently, can we look back at lessons learned and have faith for future challenges?

What questions would Jesus ask you? Do you get it? Has your walk with Him taught you to trust Him? God is good. He is trustworthy. He is in control.