NOTES for Mar 8:1-10
1 In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them, |
2 I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: |
3 And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far. |
4 And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? |
5 And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven. |
6 And 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. |
7 And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. |
8 So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets. |
9 And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away. |
10 And straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha. |
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The multiplication of the loaves is one of Jesus' most striking miracles, because several thousand people witnessed it at the same time. Reading these lines closely, it is easy to imagine some illusionist or magician showing his supernatural abilities before a huge crowd of grateful spectators. But the motives that moved Christ were completely different. The only reason He performed this greatest miracle was compassion for people who were hungry and could grow weak on the way. The Lord had pity on them and proposed feeding them with the little His disciples had, even though that was complete madness. "And they ate and were satisfied; and they took up seven baskets of leftover pieces."
There is an opinion that, seeing how the Savior was distributing what had been His own food, people began taking out the supplies they had and sharing them with those who had nothing at all. This may be the Savior's miracle itself: He succeeded in opening the eyes of thousands of people and showing them the needs of their neighbors.
Readings for 15 February 2025
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