Wednesday

Psalm: Psalm 37:30-40

Background

What does it mean to be satisfied? The story before this in Mark’s Gospel (see yesterday’s Word in Time notes) shows a crowd hungry for Jesus to heal. The feeding of the 4,000 is followed by dissatisfied Pharisees demanding a sign from him.

In between these stories is Mark’s account of a mass picnic where everyone is satisfied with what they eat.

In the Jewish scriptures, the book of Deuteronomy gives us the final messages that Moses gave the children of Israel before they moved into the Promised Land: a land flowing with milk and honey, a place of satisfaction. Deuteronomy has multiple references to the people eating and being filled.

It was an image of how God’s provision would be for all including “the aliens, the orphans, and the widows” (Deuteronomy 26:12). When God’s reign is in place no one is excluded.

In the Gospel of Mark we find a story about everyone being filled, sandwiched between a crowd looking for the next healing miracle and the Pharisees looking for a sign.

Jesus begins the feeding by declaring his compassion for the hundreds of people who have been with him for three days and have nothing to eat (v 2). He takes the little that is available and feeds them through a miraculous provision.

The extent of what remains – seven baskets of leftovers – illustrates that when God acts there is no skimping.

Also, as in the earlier story of the feeding of the 5,000, there is no means test for who is entitled to eat. It’s not a meal just for the Jews but for anyone who has come near to Jesus over the three days. They could be robbers and reprobates, Pharisees or fishers.

Like Deuteronomy, the intention is that God’s kingdom is a place of generous supply.

To Ponder:

• Churches are often made up of people from broadly similar backgrounds. We attract others like ourselves. How can we live out Jesus’ welcome to all in our fellowships?
• If the hope of God is that all are filled, what steps can we take to extend the kingdom’s bounty to those who are empty?