CHAPTER EIGHT: “THE FEEDING OF 4,000 PEOPLE: THE GOSPEL AT A RAPID CLIP” (MK.8)

 In this chapter of Mark there’s a repeat miracle of feeding the four thousand instead of the five thousand (Mk.6:33-42).  Jesus feeds them spiritual food but also understands their need for physical sustenance (vv.1-9).  Amazingly, the disciples as in the first account repeat their inquiry and their unbelief.

Unbelief, “Where will anyone be able to find enough bread here in this desolate place to satisfy these people?” (v.4). “Hey knuckleheads, remember what Jesus did when he fed the five thousand?” is what you might think or say.  But really what’s going on here?  I think the problem the Pharisees had with Jesus is the same one the disciples are experiencing—they did not understand who he really was.                 UNDERSTANDING JESUS’ IDENTITY IS ONE KEY TO BELIEF IN HIM!

The disciples did not understand his identity as of yet because their unbelief persisted.