Daily Bread 2011 Mark 8
Daily Bread 2011 – Monday February 21st, 2011 Mark 8
1 During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 2 “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.” 4 His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?” 5 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied. 6 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so. 7 They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. 8 The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
What Does This Mean?
As Jesus is training his disciples, he is constantly using situations as teachable moments to show them how the principles of the kingdom of God work. In this case, Jesus feeds the 4,000 (the crowds) who have gathered. He realizes that they have been with him for three days and if they aren’t fed they will be in big trouble.
Immediately this creates anxiety for the disciples, as they see the need is so big and the resources they have at their disposal are very minimal. Jesus starts the process of feeding them by asking the disciples what they do have. What they had was seven loaves and a few fish. Certainly not enough to do the job! Nonetheless, Jesus takes their meager resources gives thanks, and gives them back to the disciples distribute to the masses. Sure enough, the people not only eat, but are satisfied! This story is good reminder that as we rely on God’s provision, we will be satisfied beyond what the world can offer. As if to add an exclamation, the writer of the Gospel of Mark adds that there are leftovers, seven baskets full!
What Does This Mean For Us?
The feeding of thousands in Mark’s version (there is a version of Jesus feeding 5,000 in another gospel) is an important theme in all the gospels. Remember Jesus’ goal was two-fold. One, he wanted to preach the Good News of the Kingdom that was at hand through His person and ministry. Second, he needed to equip the disciples to carry on the ministry after he was gone.
One of the challenges of doing ministry in the 21st century, is we see so many needs around us that we often wonder what difference can we make. We size up what we have and what the need is, and think how can we feed all these people. But the principle of expansion and growth in the kingdom, begs us to offer what we have, no matter how meager we might think it is, and with thanks offer it up to meet the needs of the people around us. That is our part!
Then, as we rely on God’s promises and the power of the Holy Spirit, we will see God do way more than we can ask or imagine. When we realize this principle, we will quickly realize that without faith it is impossible to please God. God only asks us to respond to the needs we see every day around us and He will do the rest. By meeting urgent physical and emotional needs we can lay the ground work for the ultimate human need, a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Heavenly Father, thank you for meeting all of our needs through your glorious riches in Christ. Help us to offer what we have in thanks to the needs we see around us trusting you will provide way more than we could ask or imagine. Amen.
1 During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 2 “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.” 4 His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?” 5 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied. 6 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so. 7 They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. 8 The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
What Does This Mean?
As Jesus is training his disciples, he is constantly using situations as teachable moments to show them how the principles of the kingdom of God work. In this case, Jesus feeds the 4,000 (the crowds) who have gathered. He realizes that they have been with him for three days and if they aren’t fed they will be in big trouble.
Immediately this creates anxiety for the disciples, as they see the need is so big and the resources they have at their disposal are very minimal. Jesus starts the process of feeding them by asking the disciples what they do have. What they had was seven loaves and a few fish. Certainly not enough to do the job! Nonetheless, Jesus takes their meager resources gives thanks, and gives them back to the disciples distribute to the masses. Sure enough, the people not only eat, but are satisfied! This story is good reminder that as we rely on God’s provision, we will be satisfied beyond what the world can offer. As if to add an exclamation, the writer of the Gospel of Mark adds that there are leftovers, seven baskets full!
What Does This Mean For Us?
The feeding of thousands in Mark’s version (there is a version of Jesus feeding 5,000 in another gospel) is an important theme in all the gospels. Remember Jesus’ goal was two-fold. One, he wanted to preach the Good News of the Kingdom that was at hand through His person and ministry. Second, he needed to equip the disciples to carry on the ministry after he was gone.
One of the challenges of doing ministry in the 21st century, is we see so many needs around us that we often wonder what difference can we make. We size up what we have and what the need is, and think how can we feed all these people. But the principle of expansion and growth in the kingdom, begs us to offer what we have, no matter how meager we might think it is, and with thanks offer it up to meet the needs of the people around us. That is our part!
Then, as we rely on God’s promises and the power of the Holy Spirit, we will see God do way more than we can ask or imagine. When we realize this principle, we will quickly realize that without faith it is impossible to please God. God only asks us to respond to the needs we see every day around us and He will do the rest. By meeting urgent physical and emotional needs we can lay the ground work for the ultimate human need, a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Heavenly Father, thank you for meeting all of our needs through your glorious riches in Christ. Help us to offer what we have in thanks to the needs we see around us trusting you will provide way more than we could ask or imagine. Amen.
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