Key Thought

Two concerns are on Jesus' heart. First, he cares about the physical needs, especially the hunger, of the crowd that has been following him. Second, how can he help his disciples learn to trust that he will help them minister in situations beyond their ability? In this story, Jesus will help make sure both concerns are addressed. For me, this story is a reminder that ministry needs to occur on two fronts. First, we need to be raising up folks to help minister to others, using the gifts that God has given them. That means involving them in ministry and helping them learn to depend upon the Christ they serve. If you have a ministry in which you now serve, then get others involved with you! If you do not have a ministry, find someone working in an area in which you are interested and ask to go along and learn to minister with them. Second, we must care for the needs of others -- not just their spiritual needs, but also their physical needs. Jesus shows us a powerful way to do both things at once in this story.

Today's Prayer

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Father, I pray that you will use me to serve others and to train others to serve. Please lead me to people I can effectively serve with your grace and help me to not only see the opportunity to serve, but to follow through on that opportunity as well. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

Another time there were many people {with Jesus}. The people had nothing to eat. So Jesus called his followers to him. Jesus said, "I feel sorry for these people. They have been with me for three days. And now they have nothing to eat. I should not send them home hungry. If they leave without eating, they will faint while going home. Some of these people live a long way from here." Jesus' followers answered, "But we are far away from any towns. Where can we get enough bread to feed all these people?" Then Jesus asked them, "How many loaves of bread do you have?" The followers answered, "We have seven loaves of bread." Jesus told the people to sit on the ground. Then Jesus took the seven loaves and gave thanks to God. Jesus divided the bread and gave the pieces to his followers. Jesus told the followers to give the bread to the people. The followers obeyed him. The followers also had a few small fish. Jesus gave thanks for the fish and told the followers to give the fish to the people. All the people ate and were full. Then the followers filled seven baskets with the pieces of food that were not eaten. There were about 4,000 men that ate. After they ate, Jesus told them to go home. Then Jesus went in a boat with his followers to the area of Dalmanutha.

— Mark 8:1-10 (ERV)

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.