Mark Reading Plan – W8D1
Week 8 | Day 1 | Mark 8:1-10
Check out all the previous readings here.
Pray
Ask God to open your heart to His word today.
Bible Reading (read these verses three times slowly)
During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.”
His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?”
“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.
“Seven,” they replied.
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 distribute to the people, and they did so. They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. About four thousand were present. After he had sent them away, he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.
Reflection & Questions
Today’s story might sound very familiar. You might remember in chapter 6, Jesus fed 5,000 households (read about that here). Jesus here is once again showing Himself to be God by providing food for the people just like God provided bread for the Israelites in the desert (Exodus 16:4). However, the big difference in this story is that Jesus is in Gentile (non-Jewish) territory now. He fed Jews in chapter 6 and now He’s feeding Gentiles. In other words, He’s showing He is the Savior and Satisfier of all people. A remarkable lesson for His disciples. And just as the people in this story “ate and were satisfied”, so can anyone who hungers for God come to Him and be satisfied.
There are two further little details to notice in this story. First of all, Jesus doesn’t just feel compassion for the people, He tells the disciples of His compassion. Why? Because He is teaching them; He is showing them how they are to be. To be a follower of Jesus, we must have eyes of compassion to the needs of those around us. Secondly, notice the disciples question: “Can anyone get enough bread?” Hadn’t they learned when Jesus fed the 5,000? Apparently not. But before we judge them, how often do we say, “can anyone _____?” (fill in the blank for your life). The truth is, when God is involved, we never need to ask, “Can anyone ______?” We can instead say, “God can!”
- It’s been said that we have a hole in our hearts that only God can satisfy. Are you looking to other things to satisfy that God-shaped hole in your life?
- Are you looking on others with eyes of compassion or eyes of judgment/indifference?
- Are you asking, “Can anyone _______?”, rather than saying, “God can!”?
Pray
As you pray today, ask God to bring to your mind the names of people that He wants you to have a heart of compassion towards. Pray over those names.
Worship Song
Praise God through this song:
Bible Reading
During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.”
His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?”
“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.
“Seven,” they replied.
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 distribute to the people, and they did so. They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. About four thousand were present. After he had sent them away, he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.
Reflection and Questions
Today’s story might sound very familiar. Maybe you remember, back in chapter 6 we read a story that sounds just like this one, where Jesus fed 5,000 households (read about that here). This time, Jesus is once again showing Himself to be God by providing food for the people that were there, just like how God provided bread for the Israelites in the desert back in the Old testament! (You can read THAT story in Exodus 16:4). However, the big difference in this story is that Jesus is in Gentile, which means non-Jewish, territory now. Jesus was raised Jewish, and the usual people that He talked to and listened to Him were Jewish. He fed Jews in chapter 6 and now He’s feeding Gentiles. In other words, He’s showing He loves ALL people. It’s a great lesson that tells us that ANYONE can come to Jesus no matter what!
There is one more little detail to notice in this story. Did you see that Jesus didn’t only feel compassion for the people, He also tells the disciples about His compassion. Why? Because He is teaching the disciples; He is showing them how they should be. To be a follower of Jesus, we need to love everyone around us. Jesus loves everyone, and we should too!
- Is it easy or hard for you to love the people around you? Why?
- What is one way you can help others to know that Jesus loves them?
Prayer
Pray for someone in your life who you want to know that Jesus loves them.
Bible Reading
During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.”
His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?”
“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.
“Seven,” they replied.
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 distribute to the people, and they did so. They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. About four thousand were present. After he had sent them away, he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.
Devo Focus
I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. Vs.2
Devo
Who likes leftovers?! There’s something so good about leftover pizza the next morning… Well when Jesus fed the people, he not only fed them till they were full, he even had leftovers! Today’s story might sound very similar. You might remember in chapter 6, Jesus fed 5,000 households (read about that here). Jesus here is once again showing Himself to be God by providing food for the people just like God provided bread for the Israelites in the desert (Exodus 16:4). However, the big difference in this story is that Jesus is in Gentile (non-Jewish) territory now. He fed Jews in chapter 6 and now He’s feeding Gentiles. In other words, He’s showing He is the Savior and Satisfier of all people. A remarkable lesson for His disciples. And just as the people in this story “ate and were satisfied”, so can anyone who hungers for God come to Him and be satisfied. There are two further little details to notice in this story. First of all, Jesus doesn’t just feel compassion for the people, He tells the disciples of His compassion. Why? Because He is teaching them; He is showing them how they are to be. To be a follower of Jesus, we must have eyes of compassion to the needs of those around us. Secondly, notice the disciples’ question: “Can anyone get enough bread?” Hadn’t they learned when Jesus fed the 5,000? Apparently not. But before we judge them, how often do we say, “can anyone _____?” (fill in the blank for your life). The truth is, when God is involved, we never need to ask, “Can anyone ______?” We can instead say, “God can!”
- It’s been said that we have a hole in our hearts that only God can satisfy. Are you looking to other things to satisfy that God-shaped hole in your life?
- Are you looking on others with eyes of compassion or eyes of judgment/indifference?
- Are you asking, “Can anyone _______?”, rather than saying, “God can!”?
Prayer
As you pray today, ask God to bring to your mind the names of people that He wants you to have a heart of compassion towards. Pray over those names.
