GOSPEL OF MARK SERIES.
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THE BIBLE: GOSPEL OF MARK SERIES |
Welcome again to my Gospel of Mark
Series. I have not written for this series since mid-September 2012, so as I
start another year, I am determined to finish this series during 2013, not just
to complete it, but hopefully gain a fuller understanding of Mark's Gospel.
During 2013, each week, I will write a
post about the Gospel of Mark as I review and explore each of the 16 chapters
and how it may be applied in our daily lives. My goal is to understand and pray
the Gospel of Mark. I hope you will join me on this journey as we travel
through the liturgical season. In today's post, we explore chapter 8:
1-10 which is called Feeding four thousand for the way.
FEEDING FOUR THOUSAND FOR THE WAY.
Mark's second version of the loaves and
fish, like the first ( 6:30-44), concerns a huge crowd of people, mentions the
huge quantity of food left over, and takes place in the desert. Again the
central Christian action of the Eucharist is implied by the use of the three
key phases: took, gave thanks over, and broke the bread.
Both stories conclude with a journey
across the lake. The context in Mark also suggest that whilst the first
meal was in Galilee by the lakeside, this second meal was in a neighbouring
Gentile region, where people also need the food that the Messiah brings (
7:27-28).
There are difference too. Five
thousand eat from five loaves and two fish, and twelves baskets are filled with
food left over in the first story. In the second story, four thousand
people eat from seven loaves and a few fish, and seven baskets are filled with the
food that remained.
In the first story the compassion of
Jesus was underlined by his readiness to teach the people, but in this story
his compassion is shown by his desire to given them food to eat. This
second meat in the desert draw out attention to the need of this food for
people who journey with Jesus in mission. The people have been with him
for three days. Without this food people will become faint-hearted along
the way.
An allusion to the Eucharist is more
pronounced, since there is no mention of the few fish until after the people
have eaten the bread. This highlights bread, part of the central symbol
of the Eucharist from the earliest Christian times.
The seven large baskets, each of which
could be large enough to hold a a person, suggest that here is something for
all the Gentile world, since the number seven in the Bible usually suggest
completeness and universality.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
In our journal and/or our discussion
group we may wish to reflect on this passage as follows:
- Name the key points that you have learnt about
the person of Jesus in this passage of scripture?
- Reflect on the keywords in this passage for
they contain the substance and purpose of all the things Jesus said and
did-?
- Imagine that you are in the crowd when Jesus
orders people to sit down knowing there are seven loaves. What
do you see and hear and feel?
What can I learn from this? - Imagine that you yourself are the one of the
disciples. What do you feel and wonder about what Jesus can do with seven
loaves?
- How would you feel if I were one of the
disciples and were asked by Jesus to share my food with others?
- Reflect on my relationship with Jesus and this
teaching in the light of this gospel passage. What are my experiences
of trusting God for my needs?
- What are some areas in my life that need
feeding from God? Make a list of areas in my life that need a change
of heart and develop an action plan on how this change of heart might
occur. (eg name an area and name one/two changes that you will implement with
God's help.
- What impact does Jesus’ teaching have on you
(8:1-10)?
- How has this passage spoken to you- what does
it say to you personally?
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