Mark 8:1-10

Mark 8:1-10Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Feeding 4,000

8 In those days there was again a large crowd, and they had nothing to eat. He summoned the disciples and said to them, ² “I have compassion on the crowd, because they’ve already stayed with Me three days and have nothing to eat. ³ If I send them home hungry,^[a] they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a long distance.”

⁴ His disciples answered Him, “Where can anyone get enough bread here in this desolate place to fill these people?”

⁵ “How many loaves do you have?” He asked them.

“Seven,” they said. ⁶ Then He commanded the crowd to sit down on the ground. Taking the seven loaves, He gave thanks, broke the loaves, and kept on giving them to His disciples to set before the people. So they served the loaves to the crowd. ⁷ They also had a few small fish, and when He had blessed them, He said these were to be served as well. ⁸ They ate and were filled. Then they collected seven large baskets of leftover pieces. ⁹ About 4,000 men were there. He dismissed them ¹⁰ and immediately got into the boat with His disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.

Questions

1.       What does it mean to be a desolate place?

A.     It means empty, barren, not much around you.  These people have been listening to Jesus speak for several days and are away from their home.  It would take them several days to get home and Jesus predicts they won’t have the energy to get back. 

2.      What are some of the similarities and differences is feeding the 4,000 from the 5,000?

A.     In the feeding of the 5,000 his disciples were upset and didn’t want to use their money to buy food for everyone.  Here they have no were to go to buy food.  In the 5,000 Jesus looked up to heaven and blessed the food feeding them in large groups.  In the 4,000 He gave thanks and broke the bread, blessing it while feeding His people.  Both are very similar

3.      How come the disciples haven’t opened their eyes to the miracles of Christ? 

A.     I don’t know.  You would think they would believe He could do anything, but they are still in disbelief.  They say, “Where can anyone get enough bread here in this desolate place to fill these people. 

4.     If you were in the crowd of 4,000, what would be your reaction to seeing this event?

A.??????

Summary

Prayer

Mark 7:31-37

Mark 7:31-37Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Jesus Does Everything Well
³¹ Again, leaving the region of Tyre, He went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, through^[a] the region of the Decapolis. ³² They brought to Him a deaf man who also had a speech difficulty, and begged Jesus to lay His hand on him. ³³ So He took him away from the crowd privately. After putting His fingers in the man’s ears and spitting, He touched his tongue. ³⁴ Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed deeply and said to him, “Ephphatha!”^[b] (that is, “Be opened!”). ³⁵ Immediately his ears were opened, his speech difficulty was removed, and he began to speak clearly. ³⁶ Then He ordered them to tell no one, but the more He would order them, the more they would proclaim it.
³⁷ They were extremely astonished and said, “He has done everything well! He even makes deaf people hear, and people unable to speak, talk!”
Questions:
1.   Why does his disciples or the crowd beg Jesus to heal this deaf man?
A.   Some wanted Jesus to simply heal their friend.  Others probably wanted to see if he would or could heal the deaf man.
2.   Why do you think Jesus took the deaf man away from the crowd privately?
A.   Jesus didn’t want to make a big scene that would draw attention to himself, and eventually lead to his crucifixion.  He did this to also show personal attention to the man.  He cares about all people and wants all people to be healed.  I’m sure the man now believes in Jesus.
3.   Why did Jesus use spit to heal the deaf man?
A.   Saliva was considered a valid treatment for healing during this time.  Jesus could have also rubbed his hands in the dirt before doing this act as well.  He used spit to communicate His intention to heal.
4.   Why did Jesus order them to tell no one about this healing?
A.   It wasn’t time for Him to be fully revealed.  He also didn’t want to be known for just healing.  He wanted people to hear and believe in Him.
5.   How were the people emotions in regard to Jesus healing this man?
A.   They were astonished and amazed.  

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