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16. Feeding the Four Thousand (Mark 8:1-9)
MARK 8:1-9
1 In those days, when there was a very great multitude, and they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to himself, and said to them, 2 “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have stayed with me now three days, and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them away fasting to their home, they will faint on the way, for some of them have come a long way.” 4 His disciples answered him, “From where could one satisfy these people with bread here in a deserted place?” 5 He asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.” 6 He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves. Having given thanks, he broke them, and gave them to his disciples to serve, and they served the multitude. 7 They had a few small fish. Having blessed them, he said to serve these also. 8 They ate, and were filled. They took up seven baskets of broken pieces that were left over. 9 Those who had eaten were about four thousand. Then he sent them away.
The multitudes longed for the word of God. They came to Jesus to hear him for many hours. Each heart longs for pure love and God’s protection. Blessed is he who seeks his Lord, continuing in prayer before the Holy One, and studying his word, to fill his soul with heavenly power and everlasting joy. Have you learned with certainty that Jesus is the fountain of divine wisdom and true knowledge? Come to the Savior, and spend hours hearing his gospel that you may get well, and become refreshed and renewed.
Jesus Christ is the incarnate Word of God who is able to satisfy the hunger of our souls completely. Yet, he is also a true man, and subject to the common needs of the human nature.
Jesus wished to satisfy the hungry hearers, because they had been with him for three days and three nights and had nothing to eat. Now, having experienced his great miracle in satisfying the five thousand, the disciples did not ask their Lord to send the hungry multitudes away, as they had already done, but waited for a new merciful miracle in this critical situation. Jesus does not only seek the salvation of our souls, but he also cares for our bodies and earthly needs. He was prepared to feed the multitudes by another miracle. So he accepted the few loaves and fish they had, and turned them into sufficient nourishment for four thousand persons. Christ did not bring down from heaven a table set with food, but accepted the small amount of food available and was pleased with it. He came with it to his Father, thanked him heartily, and gave of this food to the multitudes. The food increased and multiplied because of his power, and it became a blessing to many.
Do you thank your Lord for the little you have? Are you satisfied with it, and do not complain, craving for luxury and ease? Break your bread thankfully before God, praise your Savior at all times, and give to the needy the little you have, then you will be full of wonder, when you see how the blessings of the Most High flow through you to many. Do not forget to thank the Lord joyfully.
PRAYER: O Holy God, forgive our lack of faith. You are the Almighty who can satisfy our earth in spite of overpopulation, and unemployment. Teach men to look to you and hear your word, that they may be justified and sanctified, and that the windows of heaven may be opened, showering us with your blessing. We thank you because you saved us, and you care for us each moment of our life. Amen.
QUESTION:
- Why and how did Jesus fill the four thousand hearers?