Morons! If Jesus didn't say it, I'm sure He was thinking it. How do I know? Just look at today's passage. It's right there. It started with the religious leaders of the day. Jesus had been going throughout the regions of Judea, Samaria and Galilee teaching and doing miracles and the Pharisees come to Him asking for a "sign from heaven" that He was from God. "Uh, boys, have you had your head in the sand? Healing sick people, feeding thousands isn't enough for you? Did you forget the Spirit as a dove descending on me and voice of God saying, 'This is my Son,' when I was baptized by John? Morons!"
The text doesn't exactly say that, it says that Jesus sighed deeply. I picture Him rolling his eyes and shaking His head as He walks away. My guess is they may have been Missouri Pharisees because they were always asking, "Show Me." But Jesus told them in no uncertain terms that He was not a show pony to satisfy their curiosity. He didn't need to prove anything to them.
Right after His encounter with the Pharisees, Jesus climbs in the boat with His twelve trusty companions. These are the guys that have been with Him night and day for a couple of years. If anyone should know who and what Jesus is, it's these guys. They are the future of the ministry. They will be charged with advancing the message of the Christ throughout the world after He is gone back to heaven.
In the boat, Jesus warns them about the mentality of the Pharisees, but they don't get it. They're more worried about their stomachs. They've only got one loaf of bread to feed them all. Jesus talks about the yeast of the Pharisees and they think He's upset with them because nobody remembered to get more food. Hello, are you listening.
There, He says it again, "Morons." Didn't you see it? Well, not in those words, but it's there. Once again, He rolls His eyes, shakes His head and begins to speak to in a very slow cadence. "Was I talking about having no bread? Weren't you listening to what I just said. Were you totally oblivious to what just happen with the Pharisees? Dudes, food isn't a problem. Remember the loaves and fishes scenes where I feed 20,000 and 16,000 with leftovers? Duh! Idiots."
Jesus had grown to accept the behavior from the religious leader that He encountered. After all, He knew that they had an agenda. They weren't too keen about giving up their positions of leadership and power. No doubt Jesus grew tired of their combative behavior and attitude and pretension. He knew to walk away from them. But then to get into the boat with His hand chosen TWELVE and experience their boneheadedness must have gotten to Jesus.
It's really impossible to know the personal exasperation and facial expressions of Jesus at this moment. We only get a sense of it. But as I look at this scene, I can't help it's one that Jesus experiences on a regular basis with people, even His closest followers. I can't imagine how many times, Jesus has smacked Himself in the forehead and muttered, "Moron," over me. Times when I've ignored Him and/or His truths or times when I've not been paying attention and missed the whole point.
God, what a moron I am sometimes. Thanks for being patient with me.
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