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LESSON 87 Mark 6:53-56
53 When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there. 54And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, 55ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was. 56Wherever He entered into villages, cities, or in the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.
The land of Gennesaret is on the northwest coast of the Sea of Galilee, south of Capernaum. When Jesus arrived there, people knew Who He was. The Healer had come! They hurried to gather all those who were sick to take them to Jesus. The people were eager to get His help for their loved ones. They had faith in Him to heal and their faith was rewarded. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Notice in Mark 6:56, Jesus didn't have to touch them, they touched His hem (Jewish scholars say it was the fringe of His prayer shawl) and were healed. Their faith in Him was what determined what they did. If they hadn't believed He was a Healer, they wouldn't have come. If they hadn't believed they, too, could receive healing, as others had, they wouldn't have come, but they had faith to believe that healing was available to them and that it would come to them through this Man called Jesus of Nazareth.
Healing is available to us through this Man Jesus, too. Does He love us less than He did them? No. Is He less powerful now than He was then? No. Has God stopped healing people? No. This kind of gathering happened over and over, as the word spread that there was a great prophet and healer in Israel.
Luke 4:40 (Capernaum) Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. Luke 5:15 (Sea of Galilee shore)13And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him. 14And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. 15But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.
John 4:28-30,40-42 (In Samaria)The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, 29Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? 30Then they went out of the city, and came unto him...40So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. 41And many more believed because of his own word; 42And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.
Did you notice the different ministries and services that people supplied? Some spread the word that Jesus was near. That was faith speaking and encouraging, and probably exhorting people to believe. Some carried sick folks to Jesus. That was faith working and helping people to get into a position to receive. In the spiritual sense, we can do the same through prayer. Remember from our last lesson James 5:16: The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Some sick came on their own and grabbed hold of the healing available in Jesus. That was faith determined not to miss the blessing that believing in Jesus brings. What do you do that shows you have faith in Jesus?
LESSON 88 Mark 7:1-9
Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. 2And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashed hands, they found fault. 3For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. 4And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brazen vessels, and of tables. 5Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?
6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written (Isaiah 29:13), This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
The Pharisees were a religious and political group which insisted on all of the law (as the scribes interpreted it) being kept. They and the scribes were men of much education in the scriptures and prided themselves on keeping every part of the law, even down to tithing little herbs like parsley and mint. They were what we would call "legalistic." They had knowledge and privilege as leaders, but missed the true principles that God wanted them to learn and live by.
Notice the religious leaders did not mention God one time. They didn’t quote Scripture either, because they couldn’t back up “traditions” of men. Jesus mentioned God twice in the short four sentences and used Scripture.
The Pharisees and some of the scholars of the Jewish scriptures wanted to see the Man Who was stirring up so much interest and excitement in Galilee, so they went on a fact-finding tour to the Capernaum area. (No doubt, they had heard about and may have even seen some of the many healings that were done by Jesus, yet their focus was on finding something wrong, and they did-- that some of Jesus' disciples (not all), didn't ritually cleanse their hands before they ate a meal. This washing was not for hygiene, but a ceremonial washing of the hands, a ritual to influence others, and as an evidence that they were keepers of the law. It was a performance established by the elders (7:5), not God, so others would be impressed how pious they were.
Finding fault with some of the disciples' lack of following their traditions, the scribes and Pharisees questioned Jesus about it. In His reply, He calls these critics "hypocrites." Some people might think Jesus should not call people names, but remember, in John 12:49-50, Jesus the Messiah revealed His words were governed by His Father. “As the Father has said unto Me, I speak.” The Father God and the Holy Spirit of God were talking to Jesus every morning and throughout His day. (Isaiah 50:4-5, Psalm 95:7-8, Hebrews 3:7, 15)
This kind of fellowship with the Holy Spirit is available to every believer, if they want it. They can learn to hear from God, and they do, but they don’t realize that’s from Whom the prompting, nudging, and thoughts of good come. The Holy Spirit does not prompt us to do wrong or evil, but only good. (James 1:13)
Some may say the church has hypocrites in it today. I say that’s where they need to be, to hear the Word and be with most people who aren’t hypocrites, so they can see, be convicted of their sin, humble themselves to the Lord, and repent, which declares they want to change, and begin listening to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and walking with Jesus. Jesus is with us every day. (Hebrews 13:5, Psalm 37:25,28, 1 Samuel 12:22)
In verse 6 of Mark 7, Jesus quotes Isaiah and gives a working definition of what a religious hypocrite is. A hypocrite is someone who may honor God with what he says, but is astray from God in his heart. A hypocrite is more interested in outward appearances than inward motives being right. He hides evil desires with outward piety. (Matt 23:25- 28) He trusts self rather than God. (Luke 18:9) His heart is far from God. (v 6).
These Pharisees and scribes knew they were in the presence of Someone great (John 3:1-2), even if at this time they did not recognize Him as the Messiah. Why were they looking for faults, when they should have been worshiping the One Whom God had sent? How sad that they were so near to their long-awaited Messiah, but they were more interested in hand-washing rituals!
Is there anything in your life that keeps you from worshiping the Lord? 9And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. Don't let anything come between you and the Lord. Nothing is more important than your relationship with Him.
LESSON 89 Mark 7:10-23
10For Moses said, Honor thy father and thy mother; and, whoso curses father or mother, let him die the death: 11But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou might be profited by me; he shall be free. 12And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; 13Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. 14And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: 15There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. 16If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. 17And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. 18And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without enters into the man, it cannot defile him; 19Because it enters not into his heart, but into the belly, and goes out into the draught, purging all meats? 20And he said, That which comes out of the man, that defiles the man. 21For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
Jesus continues the teaching to the Pharisees and scribes by using an example of an Old Testament statute concerning care of elderly parents. God established honoring of parents and taking care of them. If you think about it, God instituted a perfect design in "family". Parents take care of babies. They provide what children cannot provide for themselves. Then when grown, the adult children take care of the elderly parents who may be unable to provide care for themselves. This is still God's design for the family today.
The Pharisees allowed a man to promise his money to the temple, (although he might never actually give it), thereby technically leaving no money available to take care of his needy parents. This was a scheme to free him from his obligation, to get around what the law of God said.
Jesus said that this kind of scam made the Word of God of no effect. It negated the principle that God had instituted. The shame was that the religious leaders of that day were the ones endorsing such a scam. Their hearts were sinful, their desires were wrong. They tried to circumvent God's Word, not obey it, and lead others into sin by doing the same as they.
The Pharisees and company showed by their actions in what sad spiritual condition their hearts were. Jesus called all the people together and taught them a principle concerning what really defiles a person. You won't be defiled if you don't wash hands ceremonially before a meal or even if you eat something unclean (see Acts 10). The things that defile you come from the heart (spirit and soul), not the body.
Note verse 21-22, in which Jesus listed the types of sins that come forth from the defiled heart: 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
When you receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, He gives you a new spirit within, which, with the Word and the Holy Spirit, will change what your soul (mind, will, and emotions) desires to do, to say, and to be. You will be transformed by Him into the person God wants you to be. A child of God desires to please his Father, to honor Him, to bless Him. Don't you want to bring a smile to God's face? Let the Holy Spirit show you how to do that each day by turning yourself over to Him, His leadership. Tell Him you give yourself and your day to Him. Then watch how He directs you. It will be an adventure of faith! LESSON 90 Mark 7:24-30
24And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid. 25For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet: 26 The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. 27But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. 28And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs. 29And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter. 30And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.
Some Thought-provokng Questions
1. Jesus left the area and traveled north. Why?
2. Where are Tyre and Sidon?
3. Why did Jesus not want the general population of the area to know that He was there?
4. The woman who came to Jesus was a Greek, not a Jew. She had come to get help for her daughter, but she didn't bring the daughter with her. What does that tell you about her?
5. Describe the daughter.
6. In the same account in Matt 15: 21-23, it says that when the woman asked Jesus to heal her daughter, He didn't answer her. 21Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. 22And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 23But he answered her not a word.
a. Why do you think He didn't answer her at first?
b. Mt 15:23 And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. What does that show about the disciples?
c. About the mother?
7. When Jesus said, "let the children be filled first," what did He mean? Whom did the "children" represent?
8.a What did the "bread" represent?
8b. "Let the children be filled first." Why did Jesus say that?
9. The "dogs" of the parable meant the loved household pets. What did they represent?
10. What did the woman's reponse mean?
11. How do we know the daughter was healed?
12. What did you learn from this story and how can you apply it to yourself? Are you a child of the house? What does that mean to you?
Possible Answers:
1. The Holy Spirit told Him to do so. God was leading Him to His next miracle. The Holy Spirit will give us direction for each day, if we ask Him for it. We can learn to listen for His voice. John 10: 2, 3- 5, 27 He ... is the shepherd of the sheep... and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers... 27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: Look how Jesus emphasized that His followers know and hear Him speak to them.
2. They are cities on the coast of the Mediterrranean Sea in what is now Lebanon, north of Israel.
3. There could have been several reasons. Sometimes crowds limited His work. Maybe He needed a time of quiet and rest. Maybe He wanted to be free of the Pharisees' harassment. Perhaps He wanted to have some teaching time with His disciples.
4. She believed Jesus could heal her daughter long-distance. He didn't need to touch the daughter to heal her. She believed His Word of healing was powerful enough and could accomplish all that was needed, even though her daughter was not present. Is your faith in the Lord as strong as hers?
5. The daughter was young. She was controlled by an evil spirit which tormented her so that she could not be still or rest.
6. Notice He didn't say "no." Jesus may have asked His Father for permission or direction, since this was out of the guidelines He had been given. (Matt 15:24 (Jesus) answered... I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Jews). This woman was not a Jew. Are you in the habit of sending up a quick prayer when something occurs unexpectedly? Prov 3:6 states "In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path."
6b. The disciples didn't have any compassion for her. They were bothered by her persistence. They considered her a pest who wouldn't leave them alone. They did not see her determination as an evidence of her faith in the Healer. 1 Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another... 1 John 3:17 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and (doesn't respond in compassion to help him-my paraphrase), how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
6c. The Syrophenician woman didn't intend to go away without what she had come to get. Her sacrifice in making the trip and her determination to seek the goodness of the Lord for her daughter should inspire us to not give up.
Jesus said Mt 7:7 (NLT) 7 "Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks. 9 You parents-if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? 10 Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 11 If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him?
7. The "children" of the story represented the Jews. Jesus had come specifically to the children of Israel. Matt 15:24 24But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. That was the instruction to Him from His Father. That was His duty, but He knew His Father was the God of grace-- favor bestowed on those who do not deserve it, haven't earned it or may not have even asked for it. Jesus understood that His Father desires to be gracious to all those who seek Him. Lamentations 3:25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. Jesus also knew heaven responds to faith.
8. The "bread" represented healing. Healing was what the Jews were receiving and what she wanted. 8b. In John 6:35, Jesus said He was the Bread of life. Even though Jesus was not referring to Himself here in Mark 7, knowledge of the Savior/ Messiah was given to the Jews first, because they were the people chosen to be purveyors (representatives and suppliers) of the character and Word of God to the world. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek (Gentiles).
But the Jews rejected the Messiah and so the gospel was given to the Gentiles. Acts 13:46- 48 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. 47"For so the Lord has commanded us:‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ "
9. Jesus wasn't being ugly to the woman. He wasn't calling her a dog. He was using the analogy of children and pets of a household to point out the difference between those who have certain rights in the house and those who rely on the mercy of the house residents.
The children of the house, the Jews, by virtue of God's directive to Jesus, had the right to healing. The Gentiles did not have the right, but because of grace of God and their faith, they could have a gift of healing given them. This Gentile woman represented the latter group.
By the way, she was not the first Gentile that had been helped by Jesus. In John 4:1-42, Jesus was told by the Holy Spirit that He must go through Samaria. He was to speak to a woman at a well. (Most of the time Jews went around Samaria and did not associate with Samaritans at all.) The woman was not a Jew. Yet that day she received the good news of salvation and then was instrumental in bringing other Samaritans to Christ.
In Luke 7:1-10, while in Capernaum in Galilee, Jesus was approached by Jewish representatives of a Roman centurion, whose servant was seriously ill and near to death. The centurion wanted Jesus to heal his servant. Jesus healed the centurion's servant without ever entering the centurion's house. Jesus remarked on the soldier's great faith for believing that healing could come by Jesus' word, that His actual physical touch and presence was not necessary for healing to occur.
10. The Syrophenician woman basically said that, even though she knew Jesus' ministry and commission was to the Jews, she also knew the grace of God went much further in extent, and that even the Gentiles would receive of God's goodness through Jesus. For this belief in the goodness and grace of God through Jesus, she received what she sought for--healing for her daughter. Note Jesus said, 29... For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter. 30And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.
Jesus didn't ever see the daughter in person. He simply spoke the healing into existence, as His response to this woman's faith.( Mt 15:28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.) How that mother must have rejoiced then and all the way home!
11. The daughter had been so tormented by the evil spirit (Mt 15:22 my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil) that she could not rest at any time. When the mother returned to her home, she found her daughter, as she expected, untormented and able to rest--healed completely, as Jesus had said.
LESSON 91 Mark 7:31-37
Before we start this lesson, here are a few more thoughts about the Syrophenician woman who asked Jesus to heal her daughter.
1. She went to great lengths to find Jesus the Healer. We don't have to hunt Him. He is always available to His family. Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Heb 13:5 I will never leave you or forsake you.
2. She acknowledged that she had a need that only Jesus could satisfy. Whatever needs you have, Jesus can take care of them, if you'll turn them over to Him, trust Him with them.
3. She was desperate for help and she knew Jesus was the right One to seek. When you need help, turn to the Lord and seek His help first. Matt 6:33
4. She was persistent, not letting fear or discouragement dissuade her.
5. She didn't let the religious disciples keep her from believing that Jesus would help her.
6. She believed in the grace and goodness of God. She did not doubt at all that she would receive help. 7. She received because of her faith. Her faith brought her all that distance. She didn't give up even though confronted with silence at her first request. She didn't give up, even though she knew she didn't qualify as a Jew or fit into the norm.
Mark 7:31Again, departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, He came through the midst of the region of Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee. (Matt 15:29-31 Jesus departed from there (Tyre and Sidon), skirted the Sea of Galilee, and went up on the mountain and sat down there. 30Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus’ feet, and He healed them. 31So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.) Mark7:32-37 Then they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him. 33And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue. 34Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." 35Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly. 36Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it. 37And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."
Decapolis mentioned in Mark 7:31, is a ten-city area on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee. We heard about it earlier when Jesus healed the maniac of Gadara in chapter 5 of Mark. (8And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. 19However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you." 20And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.)
1. Why did Jesus leave the Tyre area?
2. Whom do "they" refer to?
3. Why do you think Jesus moved the deaf man away from the crowd?
4a. As far as we know, Jesus usually spoke to the person or touched the needy one, but here He puts His fingers in the deaf man's ears and spits on His finger and touched the mute's tongue. Why?
4b. Jesus said, "Be opened." What was He addressing?
5. In Mark 2:5, 9-12, Jesus first gave the palsied man forgiveness for his sins, then healed him. In John 5:14 Jesus made a similar statement. Yet in this passage in Mark 7 He doesn't mention sins at all. What's the difference?
6. Why didn't Jesus want the crowd to advertise His abilities?
1. The Holy Spirit told Him to leave. Ps 143:8 Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You.
2. A multitude (v33) of those who had heard about His deliverance of the former maniac. That was the only miracle He had done in this area. The healed man told everyone about what Jesus had done, so they knew He was a Healer and they sought Him to heal again, this time for others, including a deaf-mute.
3.Maybe He didn't want the man to be scared when his hearing comes and he hears the noise of the crowd. Remember the crowd was seeing many healed and would be loud in their praising God and rejoicing. Maybe Jesus was trying to minimize the number of people who would know of the healing. (see v. 36)
4a. John 5:19-20 Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. 20"For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.
I think Jesus was given a vision of how He was supposed to proceed. He simply did what He was shown to do. The Holy Spirit will tell us, impress us, or give us a vision of what we are to do in His work, just as He did Jesus. In healing this way, Jesus showed us that this was another of many methods of healing, but God was the Source of the power for it.
4b. The man's ears...Jesus told the ears what He wanted them to do.Mk 11:23 "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. We need to learn to speak out in faith what God has told us we can have.
5. Some illnesses and diseases are caused by sin. Can you name some? To gain the healing, one must get to the cause or root of it and eliminate it. Then healing can occur. Other illnesses are results of damage from fevers, infections, etc. The person's behavior doesn't cause them. See John 9:1-3
6. Jesus knew that the emphasis of His work was on the preaching of the good news of salvation, not healing. He wanted them to know, not just physical healing, but the healing and deliverance that comes to the soul and spirit through salvation.(See Mk 1:43-45, Luke 4:18-19)
LESSON 92 - MARK 8:1-9
In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them, 2I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: 3And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far. 4And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? 5And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven. 6And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people. 7And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. 8So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets. 9And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.
By the question format, I’m giving you a chance to use your study skills
1. What location is this?
2. A multitude had gathered. How many men were there?
3. What prompted Jesus' conversation with His disciples about food?
4. What other times was Jesus moved with compassion? Look at Mk 1:41, 6:34
5. How long had the crowd followed Him and listened to His teachings and saw people being healed? 6. When Jesus talked about the multitude's need, He said what?
7. Jesus was concerned that the people not leave hungry, for they would faint on the way back home. Yet how do the disciples respond? What had they forgotten? Have you ever learned a lesson and then, when another opportunity to apply it came, you didn't recognize it and failed again?
8. Notice that even when the disciples fail again to step up in faith, Jesus does not let the people down. His compassion was not the only thing He offered. He followed it with faith to help. What did He ask the disciples?
9. What did they reply?
10. In comparison to the feeding of the 5000 plus, did they have more or less to work with? Did they have more or less to feed?
11. The disciples served the food that Jesus' faith provided. Of whom do they remind you?
12. Jesus gave thanks for the meal, even though it was very simple fare. What does that teach you?
13. Seven filled baskets were left. What does that teach you about the Word of God?
Possible Answers
1. Still in the same area as the last lesson, wilderness area (v 4) near the Sea of Galilee, northern Israel. The world today is like a dry desert wilderness without the Lord.
2. 4000 men plus women and children, so there may have been as many as 10,000 or more in all.
3. His compassion. (v 2) Do you look on people with compassion? What are you led to do about it? Lamentations 3:22
4. When a leper approached Him and begged Him to heal him; when He saw how the crowds ran after Him, "as sheep having no shepherd."
5. 3 days
6. "They have nothing to eat." Do you see how this is a picture of people today? They have nothing that will sustain them, if they do not have Jesus. Only He can satisfy their every need. He can satisfy every need you have, too.
7. They asked from where could any help come, 'cause they were in the desert. They had forgotten the feeding of the 5000 plus (Mk 6:32-44). They had forgotten what God could do in response to prayer and faith. They were quick to forget what they had seen and experienced. They had eaten the bread and fish, too. Why didn't they remember how it had come? They hadn't stored away the truth of that experience and meditated on it, so that it would be the foundation of faith for this experience. They should have said, "We'll just ask God to provide as He did a while back. We know He will provide for His children today, just as we saw Him do before." Do you think the disciples were slow learners? Are you? What should you do about it? We remember what we receive into our spirits, the good ground of the heart. (Mk 4:20) The Word stays and grows and brings forth a harvest of faith. The disciples didn't let what they had seen at the feeding of the 5000 plus be planted in their hearts, so that it could grow and be ready to believe when the next opportunity came. Ask the Lord to change you into a better learner, a fast learner, one who hears truth and plants it deep in his heart, so you will be ready when the opportunity to believe Him comes again.
8. "How many loaves have you?" Either He had sent them to survey what was available in the crowd or that was what the disciples themselves had left among them.
9. Seven loaves and a few fishes (Mt 15:34)
10. More food, fewer people than when the 5000 plus were fed.
11. Does this remind you of a pastor/Sunday School teacher, serving the bread and meat of the Word to his congregation/class? Do you see them as those who help and support the Lord's work? The Lord wants us to join Him in His work. There is a place and a purpose for each of us. Ask the Lord to show you where yours is.
12. We should always have grateful hearts and give the Lord thanks for everything He provides, big or small. Do you pray before you study? Do you pray before you start your day's work? Bathe each part of your day in prayer and sanctify it in prayer and thanksgiving.
13. There's always more. We'll never learn all that the Lord has for us, but we should "eat" all we can, and do it on a regular basis. Many Christians are fasting the Word of God. That's the one thing we shouldn't fast. We can't do without it. It will feed our souls and give us strength to meet every day's challenges. It will change us and renew our minds (Rom 12:1-2). It will cleanse us (Jn 15), so that we can be better fruit-bearers.