God’s Never Broke

The book of Mark records two times when Jesus miraculously fed a crowd. In chapter 6, He fed 5000. In chapter 8, He fed 4000. The circumstances of the two were not quite the same. In chapter 6, the disciples wanted to send the crowd away so they could get food. In chapter 8, the crowd had already been there too long and Jesus said that some of them would faint on the way if they weren’t fed there. Here is the story from Mark 8.

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."

• Why did the crowd of people put themselves in a position where they had neither food nor enough strength to get home?
• What would cause you to put yourself in circumstances that only a miracle would get you out of?
• What did Jesus say motivated Him to do something about the people’s need for food?
• Can you count on God’s compassion in your time of need?

4 His disciples answered, "But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?"

• Why did the disciples ask this question when they had seen the feeding of the 5000 recorded in chapter 6? Had they forgotten what Jesus did, or did they assume He wouldn’t do it again?

5 "How many loaves do you have?" Jesus asked. "Seven," they replied.

• Why did Jesus begin by asking them what they had? Is this a pattern in the way God deals with people? Can you think of other examples of God using what a person already had, but making a miracle of it?

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 set before 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.

• What action was required of the crowd to participate in this miracle?
• In what situation do you need to “sit down” and let God do the work?

8 The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

• How much did the people eat?
• If Jesus could do such miracles, what was the point of picking up the left over pieces?

9 About four thousand men were present. And having sent them away, 10 he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.

Annie Flint lived a tough life, but recognized God’s ability to provide. This is the second verse of her famous song, “He Giveth More Grace.”

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun. (Annie J. Flint, copyright – Public Domain)