Scripture: Mark 8:1-10 (CEB)
In those days there was another large crowd with nothing to eat. Jesus called his disciples and told them, 2 “I feel sorry for the crowd because they have been with me for three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them away hungry to their homes, they won’t have enough strength to travel, for some have come a long distance.”
4 His disciples responded, “How can anyone get enough food in this wilderness to satisfy these people?”
5 Jesus asked, “How much bread do you have?”
They said, “Seven loaves.”
6 He told the crowd to sit on the ground. He took the seven loaves, gave thanks, broke them apart, and gave them to his disciples to distribute; and they gave the bread to the crowd. 7 They also had a few fish. He said a blessing over them, then gave them to the disciples to hand out also. 8 They ate until they were full. They collected seven baskets full of leftovers. 9 This was a crowd of about four thousand people! Jesus sent them away, 10 then got into a boat with his disciples and went over to the region of Dalmanutha.
What does this passage mean to me/us?
Contributed by Larry Dickenson
His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?” “How many loves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven” they replied…They had a few small fish as well; He gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. About four thousand were present. (Mark 8:4,5,7,8a NIV)
Perhaps like me, you have heard this story many times! It is one of the few details of Jesus’ ministry that all four Gospel writers included, so it really demands our intention. What are we to understand about this miraculous display of Jesus’ power to multiply a few loaves and fish into a satisfying meal for thousands? And why would Jesus’ direct the disciples to pick up the leftovers? Leftover fish in that hot climate would not make a very good meal later on. Several of the Gospel writers also noted Jesus’ frustration afterwards that the disciples could not seem to grasp what this miraculous sign was all about.
Much of Jesus’ ministry was aimed at illustrating the difference between everyday life and life in the kingdom of God. Repeatedly He told stories showing how life in God’s kingdom was…abundant! But abundant in unexpected ways! So maybe Jesus was using this miracle of the feeding in order to get to a yet unrecognized truth. The truth that life in His kingdom was satisfying for all, and yet, there was always room for more! That the mercy, love and grace that flowed through Jesus from God the Creator was inexhaustible to those who come seeking, and especially available to those living lives in the remote, desolate places in the wilderness!
Prayer
Lord, we seek lives of abundance. Forgive me when I go seeking abundance in ways and places that can never satisfy. Strengthen me in Your Holy Spirit to stretch out to claim the life of abundance in grace that Jesus gave His life to give us. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
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