“Crashing out” in sports means a sudden loss—usually due to missed cues, poor focus, or lack of strategy. You train all season, but forget to play your position. Something similar happened during a family dinner I planned to make memorable. The night started with the waiter shattering glass on my arm, spilling lemonade, and complaints about the food service. It wasn’t just the chaos; it was the collision with unmet expectations. Excellence was the goal, but emotion ultimately prevailed. And just like that, we crashed out. It wasn’t about the meal; it was about our motives, our focus, and ultimately, our hearts. Like the disciples, we often miss the deeper meaning in the midst of the moment.
“Do you not yet understand or remember…?”
~Matt 16:8-11/ Mark 8:17-21
Spiritual perception matters more than natural provision
Jesus had just encountered the Pharisees and Sadducees, who were demanding a sign from heaven. As He and the disciples sailed away, He warned them to beware the “leaven” of the religious groups, a metaphor for corrupt teaching. The disciples, misunderstanding Him, assumed He was upset because they forgot to bring bread. Jesus didn’t scold. He responded with a flurry of piercing questions, designed to probe their perception, not punish their mistake. He’s not concerned about forgotten food. He’s pointing out forgotten faith. Jesus had just miraculously fed thousands twice. Yet His own disciples, who had handled the baskets, still didn’t grasp the point. Their hearts were dulled. Their sight, dim. Their hearing, natural. Their faith—on pause.
Jesus wasn’t giving them another miracle; this was a test of their memory. This was a training session for the disciples, not just to witness miracles but to internalize meaning. In Heb 5:14, maturity is defined as having “senses trained to discern good and evil.” The disciples left this discernment in the moment. James 1:25 reminds us that the one who remembers and acts on the Word will be blessed. Jesus wasn’t worried about the bread; He was concerned about blindness. When we forget what He’s done, we lose confidence in what He can do. In 1 Cor 2:14, Paul explains that the natural man cannot perceive spiritual truths— they are spiritually discerned. Their struggle was sight. And often it is ours too.
In an age obsessed with facts, we’ve forgotten the foundations of faith. Everything must be proven, posted, or perfected before we trust it. like the disciples, we often default to what’s natural—bank account, meal plans, job security—forgetting Who multiplied the loaves… and is still in the boat. In Col 3:2, Paul says, “Set your minds on things above, not on the things that are on earth.” We spiral at the sign of shortage, forgetting His faithfulness is the pattern—not the exception. The spirit of the Pharisees, demanding signs, and the leaven of the Sadducees, denying spiritual truths, are both alive today. Jesus still asks: “Do you not yet understand?”
Last night, I found myself caught in that very trap. A dinner meant to celebrate my niece became a mirror. I focused on rude service, slow wait, and spilled drink, but not the soul of Deonte. I didn’t evangelize, I didn’t bless the waiter, didn’t model the Kingdom. I, too, forgot the Bread of Life was still with me. This passage reminded me that spiritual maturity doesn’t come from miracles—it comes from remembrance. From keeping Jesus at the center in all things. Miss that, and we’re not just inconvenienced. We’re spiritually off course, We’ve crashed out!
Time of Reflection:
** Forgetfulness of God’s faithfulness often fuels our frustration.
** Spiritual maturity grows when we shift our focus from what’s missing to Who is present.
Heart-Probe:
**Where have I recently “crashed out” by focusing on the natural instead of responding in faith?
References:
Matthew 16: 8-11: Mark 8: 17-20
Hebrews 5: 14
James 1:25
1 Cor 2:14
Col 3:2
Chronological Bible Placement: Thomas Nelson Chronological Study Bible
Closing Prayer:
Jesus, forgive me for forgetting Your faithfulness and doubting Your presence. Recalibrate my vision. Sharpen my hearing. Make me a disciple who sees deeper, hears clearer, and remembers stronger. Let me never mistake a physical convenience for spiritual neglect. You are always with me, teach me to respond accordingly.
Amen
