Lesson 92

LESSON 92 - MARK 8:1-9

1In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them, 2I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: 3And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far. 4And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? 5And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven. 6And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people. 7And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. 8So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets. 9And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.

1. What location is this?

2. A multitude had gathered. How many men were there?

3. What prompted Jesus' conversation with His disciples about food?

4. What other times was Jesus moved with compassion? Look at Mk 1:41, 6:34

5. How long had the crowd followed Him and listened to His teachings and saw people being healed?

6. When Jesus talked about the multitude's need, He said what?

7. Jesus was concerned that the people not leave hungry, for they would faint on the way back home. Yet how do the disciples respond? What had they forgotten? Have you ever learned a lesson and then, when another opportunity to apply it came, you didn't recognize it and failed again?

8. Notice that even when the disciples fail again to step up in faith, Jesus does not let the people down. His compassion was not the only thing He offered. He followed it with faith to help. What did He ask the disciples?

9. What did they reply?

10. In comparison to the feeding of the 5000 plus, did they have more or less to work with? Did they have more or less to feed?

11. The disciples served the food that Jesus' faith provided. Of whom do they remind you?

12. Jesus gave thanks for the meal, even though it was very simple fare. What does that teach you?

13. Seven filled baskets were left. What does that teach you about the Word of God?

Answers

1. Still in the same area as the last lesson, wilderness area (v 4) near the Sea of Galilee, northern Israel. The world today is like a dry desert wilderness without the Lord.

2. 4000 men plus women and children, so there may have been as many as 10,000 or more in all.

3. His compassion. (v 2) Do you look on people with compassion? What are you led to do about it?

Lamentations 3:22

4. When a leper approached Him and begged Him to heal him; when He saw how the crowds ran after Him, "as sheep having no shepherd."

5. 3 days

6. "They have nothing to eat." Do you see how this is a picture of people today? They have nothing that will sustain them, if they do not have Jesus. Only He can satisfy their every need. He can satisfy every need you have, too.

7. They asked from where could any help come, 'cause they were in the desert. They had forgotten the feeding of the 5000 plus (Mk 6:32-44). They had forgotten what God could do in response to prayer and faith. They were quick to forget what they had seen and experienced. They had eaten the bread and fish, too. Why didn't they remember how it had come? They hadn't stored away the truth of that experience and meditated on it, so that it would be the foundation of faith for this experience. They should have said, "We'll just ask God to provide as He did a while back. We know He will provide for His children today, just as we saw Him do before."

Do you think the disciples were slow learners? Are you? What should you do about it?

We remember what we receive into our spirits, the good ground of the heart. (Mk 4:20) The Word stays and grows and brings forth a harvest of faith. The disciples didn't let what they had seen at the feeding of the 5000 plus be planted in their hearts, so that it could grow and be ready to believe when the next opportunity came. Ask the Lord to change you into a better learner, a fast learner, one who hears truth and plants it deep in his heart, so you will be ready when the opportunity to believe Him comes again.

8. "How many loaves have you?" Either He had sent them to survey what was available in the crowd or that was what the disciples themselves had left among them.

9. Seven loaves and a few fishes (Mt 15:34)

10. More food, fewer people than when the 5000 plus were fed.

11. Does this remind you of a pastor/Sunday School teacher, serving the bread and meat of the Word to his congregation/class? Do you see them as those who help and support the Lord's work? The Lord wants us to join Him in His work. There is a place and a purpose for each of us. Ask the Lord to show you where yours is.

12. We should always have grateful hearts and give the Lord thanks for everything He provides, big or small. Do you pray before you study? Do you pray before you start your day's work? Bathe each part of your day in prayer and sanctify it in prayer and thanksgiving.

13. There's always more. We'll never learn all that the Lord has for us, but we should "eat" all we can, and do it on a regular basis. Many Christians are fasting the Word of God. That's the one thing we shouldn't fast. We can't do without it. It will feed our souls and give us strength to meet every day's challenges. It will change us and renew our minds (Rom 12:1-2). It will cleanse us (Jn 15), so that we can be better fruitbearers.