Mark 8:1-10, "Feeding Four Thousand".
Mark 8:1-10
1. NOTICE THE COMPASSION OF CHRIST 1-5, 7
a. For their Spiritual need.
These folk were Gentiles from the Decapolis (7:31), where he had preached and
performed healing miracles (/Ephphatha/, Mark 7:34). They were so hungry and
thirsty for righteousness, they had followed him now for three days. Jesus was
the Gentiles' Saviour too; he would not send them away without the Gospel.
b. For their Physical need.
Now they had eaten all their packed lunches, and had nothing left. Unlike the
feeding of the 5,000, here were no shops where bread could be bought, even for
200 denarii. They were in the wilderness away from the actual Ten Towns; they
were too far away from home to just go there. Jesus knew what it was like to
be hungry in the wilderness - and tempted of the devil. He would not send them
away without bread; nor would he give them stones for bread, or a serpent for
a fish (Matthew 7:9-10).
2. NOTICE THE CREATIVITY OF CHRIST 6-10
a. The Creator of Bread that perishes.
Jesus asks his disciples how much food they have left. Seven 'finger rolls'.
Then he tells the people to sit down on the ground. No green grass here, as
for the 5,000. Spring is over; this is high summer. Again, Jesus takes the
rolls, blesses the Father for providing them, and then breaks them again and
again to multiply the quantity. He gives them to the disciples to distribute
to the people, as much as they could eat. They also had pitifully few small
fish (sardines; tiddlers). These Jesus also gave thanks for, and broke to
multiply the supply. The Creator of all the universe had no trouble creating
from nothing some extra bread and fish for his hearers to eat and be
satisfied. "Without him was not anything made, that was made" (John 1:3).
b. The Provider of Bread that endures to eternal life.
The 'bread' that Jesus really wants them to have is Himself, the Bread of
Life. Today we give thanks over this bread and wine, representing his Body and
his Blood. The 'fish' is represented by his title: Jesus Christ God's Son,
Saviour (Ichthus). We who eat and drink his Body and his Blood will live
eternally. "Then Jesus said to them, Verily, verily, I say to you, Except ye
eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
Whoever eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will
raise him up at the last day" (John 6:53—54).
When Jesus turned water into wine, his first public miracle, the toastmaster
commented in amazement "You have kept the best wine until now" (John 2:10).
When Jesus fed the 5,000, some kept following Jesus for more. "Ye seek me,
not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye ate of the loaves, and
were filled. Labour not for the food which perisheth, but for that food which
endureth to everlasting life..." (John 6:26-27). Now 4,000 more follow Jesus
for three whole days, seeking what only He could provide. His was the best
fish-and-bread in the land!
None that come to Him ever go empty away...
______________________________________________________________________________
In Christ,
Ben
--
Revd Ben Crick, BA CF
232 Canterbury Road, Birchington, Kent, CT7 9TD (UK)
http://www.cnetwork.co.uk/crick.htm
