Seven Loaves - Mark 8:5

Mark wrote, “In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said unto them, I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far. And his disciples answered him, From where can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?”, and in chapter eight and verse five of his book, Mark shared how Jesus asked His disciples, “How many loaves do you have?” and they answered, “Seven” where we read:

And he asked them, How many loaves do you have? And they said, Seven.

The verse reads, “And he asked them, How many loaves do you have?” Mark began with the words, “and he asked him” which means “and Jesus inquired, requested and questioned His disciples as to”, “How many loaves” or “what number or amount of bread made with flour mixed with water and baked” “do you have” which means “did the disciples obtain or hold in their possession”? “And they said” or “ the disciples uttered, declared, proclaimed and answered” “Seven” which means “Seven loaves”. Mark shared how Jesus questioned His “disciples” as to what number of “loaves of bread” they had to which they answered “Seven”.

The verse continues, “And they said, Seven.” Mark added the words, “and they said” which means “and the disciples answered Jesus”, “Seven” or “Seven loaves of bread”. Mark shared how Jesus' disciples responded to Jesus' question by telling Him they had “seven loaves”.

When we consider Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus responded to His “disciples” question with a question. Rather than go over the impossibilities of finding so much food in the “wilderness”, Jesus began with what the “disciples” had in their possession. “Seven loaves” were secured this time, and the “disciples” answered Jesus with the same. Jesus knew what He was going to do, and because He is persistent in meeting needs and teaching those who follow Him, He requested the number of loaves obtained. God loves people, and He loves to meet their needs. He is able to take very little and use it greatly, and when a person submits their life to His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”, He is aware of every “physical” and “spiritual” need and is ready to meet them whatever they may be.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus, “gave thanks, and brake and gave to his disciples to set before them”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".