Play It Again!

Scripture – Mark 8:1-10: ¹During 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. ³If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.” ⁴His 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. ⁶He 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 set before the people, and they did so. ⁷They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. ⁸The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. ⁹About four thousand men were present. And having sent them away, ¹⁰he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.

Reflection: This is like an instant replay. And once again, the disciples seem a bit confused.

I wonder what’s been going on for the three days. I imagine it’s been like a huge revival meeting of some kind. I’m sure there would have been healings, along with a lot of teaching. It looks like the people stayed longer than they’d planned. So they were running short of food.

The result is a scene very similar that that in Mark 6. Jesus took what was available, gave thanks and provided food for over four thousand people. They all ate and were satisfied. The leftovers were collected.

If I’m where Christ wants me to be, I’ll have all I need. I’ll keep trusting Him to do that.

Lord Jesus, thank you for this reminder. You again bring home a crucial truth here – one I easily miss or take for granted because the story is so familiar. Thank you for taking care of me this day. You do that every day. I’m sorry I don’t say “Thank you” often enough.