Mark 7:31-8:10

Jesus healed a deaf man, and we know from elsewhere that the Pharisees are upset with his breach of cleanliness. He told people not to tell about the healing, but they did anyway, so the crowds became even more of a problem.

Then Jesus feeds the 4000, primarily gentiles, around the Decapolis. He'd fed the 5000 (mostly Jews) before, and now it's the gentiles' turn.

Jesus has compassion for the crowd. He looks upon our suffering, our needs, and has a gut-wrenching, visceral compassion for us! If you're a Christian, there's a calling on your life to grow into the image of Christ. So we should be growing in godly compassion for others!

How many loaves does it take to feed the 4,000? Just seven. Add to the five loaves from when he fed the 5000, and you have 12 loaves... Like the showbread in the tabernacle.

Final thoughts...

Bread:

At the last supper, Jesus reveals that he is the bread, broken because of his compassion, for our sustenance! In him we consist, we survive. The bread of life is the only way we make it home. He's the only way, truth and life!

Eyes to see:

Our lives can sometimes get crazy, we're under fire, and we'd love nothing more than a big miracle... But not all his miracles are big and dramatic. The same God who parts the sea also simply clothes the lilies of the field. God is constantly at work in our lives!

If you belong to Jesus: yes, he does big things, but he also does small things, the still, small voice. He will never leave you or forsake you.

In today's passage, the huge crowd ate and were satisfied... God provides, and he satisfies! He sees your needs and has a deep gut reaction. Gather near to him!