David Bahn – Reflections

Consider these psalms on this Lord’s Day as your personal spiritual refreshment.

About this time another large crowd had gathered, and the people ran out of food again. Jesus called his disciples and told them, “I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way. For some of them have come a long distance.”

His disciples replied, “How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?”

Jesus asked, “How much bread do you have?”

“Seven loaves,” they replied.

So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to his disciples, who distributed the bread to the crowd. A few small fish were found, too, so Jesus also blessed these and told the disciples to distribute them.

They ate as much as they wanted. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food. There were about 4,000 men in the crowd that day, and Jesus sent them home after they had eaten. Immediately after this, he got into a boat with his disciples and crossed over to the region of Dalmanutha. – Mark 8:1-10

They were not the first to ask the question: these disciples of Jesus in the third day of the wilderness sojourn with Jesus. Zacharia had asked it. So had Mary. But even the father of faith had asked, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” (Genesis 15:2).

Maybe you’ve asked it too. The challenge is too great. How am I supposed to work that many hours? How am I ever going to get caught up with my bills? How am I to give 10% of my income to the church? How am I able to memorize all those Bible passages? How am I supposed to forgive someone who won’t even admit he’s done something against me? How am I supposed to get peace in my heart in the face of all these troubles we’re facing in the world?

On another occasion Jesus told his disciples that the mission field was large and ready, but there were not enough workers. He told them to “pray that the Lord of the Harvest would send laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:38). Next he sends out the twelve on their first mission. They become the answer to their own prayer. There would be others as well. The 72. Paul. Silas. Luke. Mark. Peter. Phillip. All were sent to gather people into his kingdom. 

On this occasion, the task is more seemingly mundane. They need to set up a mobile soup kitchen, and there is no way they can imagine it being successfully accomplished. With only some loaves and fish their resources were so meager, they ask, “How are we supposed to feed this crowd? You’d think they would have remembered the feeding of the 5000, recorded in Mark 6!

Perhaps their exclamation, “How are we supposed to…” was actually a prayer. And Jesus answers their prayer by leveraging the resources already at their disposal. He’ll use what they have to feed the multitude. That’s what Jesus does. 

Sometimes we think we’ve got to have all the answers in order to witness to a friend. We might believe our finances cannot make a difference in the great needs of the church or the world. There may be serious doubts about whether or not we have the resources to forgive a friend’s betrayal. But when we give Jesus what we have and let him bless and use it the results will be Jesus-shaped. And that’s always good. Very good indeed. 

How are we supposed to…(you fill in the blank)? Give what you’ve got to Jesus and let him shape it for his glory and our neighbor’s good. 

About this time another large crowd had gathered, and the people ran out of food again. Jesus called his disciples and told them,² “I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. ³ If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way. For some of them have come a long distance.”

⁴ His disciples replied, “How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?”

⁵ Jesus asked, “How much bread do you have?”

“Seven loaves,” they replied.

⁶ So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to his disciples, who distributed the bread to the crowd.⁷ A few small fish were found, too, so Jesus also blessed these and told the disciples to distribute them.

⁸ They ate as much as they wanted. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food. ⁹ There were about 4,000 men in the crowd that day, and Jesus sent them home after they had eaten. ¹⁰ Immediately after this, he got into a boat with his disciples and crossed over to the region of Dalmanutha. – Mark 8:1-10

How’s you attention span? What about your do-one-thing-at-a-time focus? How about silence and solitude? These are not often pursued these days. Give us a good football game and a fine wine, a touching movie and some chocolates; we’ll then be happy. The Roman poet Juvenal was famously to have said something about bread and circus as the means by which the populace were kept peaceful and in check. His commentary was that the problem was not in the bread and circuses per se, but that people would sell their freedoms for full bellies and the excitement of the games which served only to distract them from other human hungers that bread and circuses can never satisfy. 

For three days the people with Jesus had listened, followed, and listened some more to Jesus’ teaching. What powerful and deep work of the Holy Spirit is here! I’m sure there were moments for sidebar conversations. And no doubt some sort of distractions popped in from time to time. But they were with Jesus – by his reckoning – for three days. Three days of learning the truth about the Kingdom of God from the King himself! 

And they are about to learn more. Jesus will show them compassion, attention to their worldly needs, a heart for all manner of people (these were likely Gentiles who had been with him all this time). Mark does not record Jesus’ teachings here, but we can imagine he told a parable or two. He likely explained the profound mysteries and truth of the Beatitudes. Surely he taught them about prayer. Now he will teach them about how God provides. 

This will be a remarkable experience. Noteworthy. The ancient near-eastern equivalent of a Kodak Moment. Is someone taking notes? Is someone writing all this down? Did you see what he just did?!? Just like the other day when he fed the 5000. I guess that wasn’t our imagination, or a sleight of hand trick. He’s really able to feed the multitudes with the paltry supplies from our mobile larder. 

Maybe I need to learn more about this Jesus, what he has to say, how he lives, what he commands, what he promises. It might even be worth more than three days’ time!

About this time another large crowd had gathered, and the people ran out of food again. Jesus called his disciples and told them,² “I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. ³ If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way. For some of them have come a long distance.”

⁴ His disciples replied, “How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?”

⁵ Jesus asked, “How much bread do you have?”

“Seven loaves,” they replied.

⁶ So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to his disciples, who distributed the bread to the crowd.⁷ A few small fish were found, too, so Jesus also blessed these and told the disciples to distribute them.

⁸ They ate as much as they wanted. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food. ⁹ There were about 4,000 men in the crowd that day, and Jesus sent them home after they had eaten. ¹⁰ Immediately after this, he got into a boat with his disciples and crossed over to the region of Dalmanutha. – Mark 8:1-10

Have you had the opportunity to teach your child a lesson the easy way? We often have to teach them the hard way: schools of hard knocks, learning by their mistakes, letting them get to the end of their rope before rescuing them. But how about the easy way? Showing them how to bake brownies (and lick the bowl after they’re baking in the oven. Getting into the passenger seat while your daughter pulls the car out of the garage and into the driveway (no further, please!). Sometimes there is a two-fold lesson. Brownies are easy to make and fun to clean up after. Cars are powerful and must be driven with care, and need to be driven only so far!

Perhaps Jesus is actually intentionally teaching two different lessons in these two accounts of the feeding of the multitude. Maybe there is a lesson for us about both compassion and purpose. That’s what I’m beginning to think. The Reformation Study Bible notes offers this insight:

Since this feeding probably took place in the Decapolis (7:31), it is evident that Jesus extends His compassion from the lost sheep of the house of Israel (6:34) to the Gentiles, as His healing of the Syrophoenician woman’s daughter (7:24–30) and His ministry in Gentile territory (7:31–37) would suggest. By His actions Jesus announces the world-wide mission of the future church.

Certainly part of the lesson is that Jesus came for both Jew and Gentile. He has sufficient compassion for both. He is willing to provide for all people. There is a mission beyond our immediate family and friends. The message of the Gospel is intended for all people at all time until the end of time. So we should not be surprised when, at the end of his earthly ministry, Jesus commands his followers to make disciples of all nations. 

This is an important lesson for me. A person comes to me for help, for a listening ear, or for guidance. Do I respond differently if he is not a member of our church? Am I more prone to respond if she is a friend? Does my heart sink because I don’t have time, energy, or bandwidth for another needy person? I confess. I do need God’s grace and the Holy Spirit to offer kindness, love, and help when I’m tired, or when it isn’t convenient. I too easily identify with the man who tells his friend who comes in the night asking for a loaf of bread, “Go away. The door is already shut, my children are with me in bed — I can’t get up to give you anything” (Luke 11:7). 

But that’s not how Jesus responds. He has compassion – again – for people in need. He doesn’t want them to faint along the way. He doesn’t want them to miss the blessing of his providential goodness, love, and grace. We have here a display of compassion, and a lesson about purpose. Jesus’ purpose is to seek and save the lost. His compassion is for all people. I wonder whether I might lean into that attitude more fully. How about you?

About this time another large crowd had gathered, and the people ran out of food again. Jesus called his disciples and told them,² “I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. ³ If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way. For some of them have come a long distance.”

⁴ His disciples replied, “How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?”

⁵ Jesus asked, “How much bread do you have?”

“Seven loaves,” they replied.

⁶ So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to his disciples, who distributed the bread to the crowd.⁷ A few small fish were found, too, so Jesus also blessed these and told the disciples to distribute them.

⁸ They ate as much as they wanted. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food. ⁹ There were about 4,000 men in the crowd that day, and Jesus sent them home after they had eaten. ¹⁰ Immediately after this, he got into a boat with his disciples and crossed over to the region of Dalmanutha. – Mark 8:1-10

Do you believe in miracles? Or do you give God an out. Miracles are just speeded-up versions of natural processes. That’s what one woman told me. But I’m not sure water just naturally changes into wine over time. Nor do I think water just piles up in a heap on both sides of a walkway so an army can march through the dry seabed. But the explanation offered once by a prominent Television Preacher is reasonable. If people have food to share, the kindness and generosity of a little boy might move them to share their food. They might take it from the folds in their garments and end up with more than they need. 

Only trouble is, this is not what the text says. There’s no hint of the crowd being moved to share. There is only the inventory: 7 loaves of bread and a few fish. Jesus will take those and feed the multitude. Again. Really. Some have suggested that this is really not a separate event from that which is recorded in Mark 6 (the feeding of the 5000). They suggest Mark – or the New Testament editors – pulled together the various stories of Jesus’ ministry and somehow both ended up making it into the book. 

Rather than trying to explain away the miracle, or discredit the text, we might better look for the message that this event conveys. Surely we see how Jesus is aware of people’s needs and responsive to them. We can also see how Jesus leverages the resources already present for the purposes of his kingdom. But more important than all that is Jesus’ supreme authority over all things. He can not only walk on water. He can not merely still the storm. He can provide food for the multitude. And he does so. Again.

More often than not God works through regular means. Hard work, tilling, sowing, cultivating produce crops. Failure to do so produces weeds. Wise decisions yield good results. There is a natural order. Normally the natural order prevails. 

But sometimes God intervenes. Like when more than 4000 people are hungry and in the wilderness. Jesus provides a more-than-enough amount of food for these people. He has power others do not. He is able to do signs and wonders that focus our attention toward the goodness of God. And though he doesn’t often do these miraculous things, when he does, we must take note. And if he has a repeat performance, we might look a little deeper to see just what he’s actually up to.

We’ll take that up again. Tomorrow. 

About this time another large crowd had gathered, and the people ran out of food again. Jesus called his disciples and told them,² “I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. ³ If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way. For some of them have come a long distance.”

⁴ His disciples replied, “How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?”

⁵ Jesus asked, “How much bread do you have?”

“Seven loaves,” they replied.

⁶ So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to his disciples, who distributed the bread to the crowd.⁷ A few small fish were found, too, so Jesus also blessed these and told the disciples to distribute them.

⁸ They ate as much as they wanted. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food. ⁹ There were about 4,000 men in the crowd that day, and Jesus sent them home after they had eaten. ¹⁰ Immediately after this, he got into a boat with his disciples and crossed over to the region of Dalmanutha. – Mark 8:1-10

What’s your limit? Do you live by the adage, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me?” Do you have a limit beyond which you won’t go? Can someone get the benefit of the doubt once or twice, but not a third time? Your coworker forgets his lunch and debit card and asks, “Can you bring me something from McDonalds on your way back?” How many times will you do that. Is there a limit. 

I’m struck by the “again” in verse 1 of this account. The people ran out of food again. We’ve been down this path before. On a previous occasion Jesus fed 5000 men plus women and children when they were following him in the wilderness (Mark 6:31-44). On the previous occasion Mark simply reports that Jesus “had compassion” on the multitude. On this occasion, Jesus says it out loud: “I feel sorry for these people.” 

Nonetheless, here they are again. How long will this keep going on? Won’t they become overly-dependent on Jesus? How will they ever learn to take responsibility for their own wellbeing? 

One of the dangers of self-sufficiency is a lower threshold of impatience and a general lack of compassion for those who seem not to take responsibility for themselves. We assume that because we can and do plan responsibly for our daily needs, anyone who does not is simply irresponsible. That may or may not be an accurate assessment. 

Jesus doesn’t seem to make those calculations – at least not in this case. He sees people in need, feels sorry for them, and takes action. Again. His kindness and compassion do not take a back seat to people’s lack of planning. 

Before we become too indignant over the lack of personal responsibility of the multitude, we must keep in mind our continuing need for his grace, mercy, kindness, and forgiveness. The crowd will disperse. There seems to be no third miraculous feeding. Neither does Jesus’ supply. Yet our need for forgiveness, help, mercy, and kindness knows no end. Neither does Jesus’ supply.

And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden. ²⁵ But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet. ²⁶ Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. ²⁷ And he said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” ²⁸ But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” ²⁹ And he said to her, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.” ³⁰ And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.

³¹ Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. ³² And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. ³³ And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. ³⁴ And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” ³⁵ And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. ³⁶ And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. ³⁷ And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” – Mark 7:24-37

I should have left well-enough alone. I thought I had it figured out. I thought I could do it. I had watched a number of YouTube videos. It seemed pretty straight forward. Emphasis on seemed. The first foray seemed to have succeeded. Emphasis, again on seemed. But that victory was fleeting. I was too clever by half. Sadly, however when you multiply that times two, it becomes too clever by a fourth! Not clever at all. 

There are two dangers in trying to figure out Jesus, to put him in a neat and tidy, understandable and predictable box. First is, he won’t fit! Jesus is Lord, and that means he sets all the rules. And while he will not deny his true nature, nor abandon his promises, his ways are mysterious. Who would ever have thought that God would take on human flesh in the first place? Who would have ever thought that God in the flesh would submit himself to death? Jesus breaks out of any box that would contain the majestic glory of his grace. He will set the limits and boundaries of how he will act in any situation (cf. Romans 9:15).

We must also reject the notion that by understanding God’s ways, or being able to predict his next move (another way of figuring out Jesus), we will find peace. It just isn’t so. God warns us of this.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
⁷ Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 
– Proverbs 3:5 [emphasis added]

Whatever else you might say, the woman who is begging Jesus to help her daughter is not wise in her own eyes. She makes no claim of her own superiority and worthiness. She won’t demand Jesus’ help. But in his gracious kindness Jesus responds to her need. She finds her daughter at home and in bed, the demon gone. 

And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden. ²⁵ But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet. ²⁶ Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. ²⁷ And he said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” ²⁸ But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” ²⁹ And he said to her, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.” ³⁰ And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.

³¹ Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. ³² And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. ³³ And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. ³⁴ And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” ³⁵ And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. ³⁶ And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. ³⁷ And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” – Mark 7:24-37

I’m not very good at it, but Jesus was a master. His conversation with Nicodemus is one example. His conversation with this woman is another.

Monty Roberts is the original horse whisperer. He is able to take a wild horse – newly captured from the planes of Colorado – and within 20 minutes have it follow him around a circle pen, its muzzle on his shoulder. Check out this video of his technique. I’ve been mesmerized every time I’ve watched him Join-Up® with a horse. 

Watching Jesus with this woman seems off-putting until you get to the end of the encounter. She’s a woman in need. She has a daughter who was demonized. And Jesus refuses her! 

The Pharisees had a prayer (which is a sad commentary on their view of women and man’s best friend). “I thank You, Almighty God, that I am not a gentile, a slave, or woman.” It’s not clear whether or not she was a slave, but she was definitely a woman and a gentile. She had no standing in most people’s eyes.

And Jesus seems to accede to this valuation of her. He essentially calls her a dog. Let’s not be too hasty, however, in judging what is happening here. This is only the first forré of this conversation. Jesus is pushing her away so that she will not just beg for his mercy, but so that she will lay hold of her rightful place by faith. She will claim nothing of Jesus except that which he would allow her to receive, believing he is good and merciful and kind.

The woman will claim no standing other than that of a hungry puppy, happy with scraps that fall from the master’s table. But she receives far more. Jesus commends her faith, heals her daughter and sends her on her way. 

I’m not sure there is a difference between begging, and asking for a morsel of God’s mercy in faith. Nor am I completely convinced that this is a case of horse whispering – though it seems a likely possibility. But I am confident that God is rich in grace, mercy, and love. And the most feeble request of him in faith will bring the blessings of his love. 

Psalm 29:1-2

Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
² Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.

Psalm 59:16-17

 I will sing of your strength;
    I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.
For you have been to me a fortress
    and a refuge in the day of my distress.
¹⁷ O my Strength, I will sing praises to you,
    for you, O God, are my fortress,
    the God who shows me steadfast love.

Psalm 89:1-2

I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever;
    with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.
² For I said, “Steadfast love will be built up forever;
    in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness.”

Psalm 119:1-3

Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
    who walk in the law of the Lord!
² Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
    who seek him with their whole heart,
³ who also do no wrong,
    but walk in his ways!

Psalm 149

Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
    his praise in the assembly of the godly!
² Let Israel be glad in his Maker;
    let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!
³ Let them praise his name with dancing,
    making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!
⁴ For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
    he adorns the humble with salvation.
⁵ Let the godly exult in glory;
    let them sing for joy on their beds.
⁶ Let the high praises of God be in their throats
    and two-edged swords in their hands,
⁷ to execute vengeance on the nations
    and punishments on the peoples,
⁸ to bind their kings with chains
    and their nobles with fetters of iron,
⁹ to execute on them the judgment written!
    This is honor for all his godly ones.
Praise the Lord!