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Mark 8:1-10
8 In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples to him and said to them, 2 “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. 3 And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away.” 4 And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?” 5 And he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.” 6 And he directed the crowd to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd. 7 And they had a few small fish. And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them. 8 And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. 9 And there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away. 10 And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.
Watch the Sermon
Summary: Our series through miracles in the book of Mark continues with Mark 8:1-10 where we will meditate on the feeding of the four thousand. This account is part of an interesting pattern where Jesus performs miracles among the Gentiles that He had previously done among the people of Israel. This shows that His salvation is not for the people of Israel only, but all the nations of the world. As with all miracles that Jesus performed, this creative act is meant to reveal something about our Savior's nature and invite us to follow Him. As Jesus instructs His disciples in authentic faith versus cold religiosity, we see not just a God who can do the miraculous, but the God-Man, who loves, provides for, and has mercy on His people. The feeding of the four thousand reveals what it means to have faith in Jesus and be satisfied in His sufficiency.
Review & Apply
What are some similarities and differences between this feeding and the feeding of the five thousand in Mark 6:30-44?
Why do you think in both feeding miracles, Mark draws attention to Jesus' compassion for the crowds?
How do you see Jesus discipling and refining the disciples' faith in this story?
How does this story relate or give insight to the conversation about leaven in Mark 8:11-21?
Why do you think that Jesus performed miracles surrounding bread (6:30-43; 8:1-9) and boats (4:35-41; 6:45-51) in the land of Israel and in Gentile lands?
What Old Testament figure comes to mind with a miracle surrounding bread? Do you believe there is an intentional connection to Jesus shown there?
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