May 27, 2010
No Need to worry
Mark 8:1-26
Eric Tucker
Central Truth
Jesus Christ will sustain you.
Key Verse | Mark 8:17
And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet see or understand? Do you have a hardened heart?" (Mark 8:17)
Mark 8:1-26
Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand
1 In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples to him and said to them, 2 “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. 3 And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away.” 4 And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?” 5 And he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.” 6 And he directed the crowd to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd. 7 And they had a few small fish. And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them. 8 And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. 9 And there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away. 10 And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha. 1 8:10 Some manuscripts Magadan, or Magdala
The Pharisees Demand a Sign
11 The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. 12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” 13 And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side.
The Leaven of the Pharisees and Herod
14 Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. 15 And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” 2 8:15 Some manuscripts the Herodians 16 And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread. 17 And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” 20 “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” 21 And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”
Jesus Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida
22 And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. 23 And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24 And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” 25 Then Jesus 3 8:25 Greek he laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.”
Dive Deeper | Mark 8:1-26
In this chapter a crowd of 4,000 gathered to listen to Jesus, and they ran out of food. The disciples were concerned and asked Jesus how they would feed such a large crowd. They asked the question as if they didn't know Jesus was the answer. They were worried about finding food even though they had already seen Jesus feed a crowd of 5,000, walk on water, heal a paralyzed man, rebuke the wind, and raise a girl from the dead. Jesus answered their question with another miracle—feeding 4,000 with seven loaves of bread and a few small fish. Even though the disciples had just witnessed this miracle, they soon began to worry again when they did not have anything to eat on their boat. Are you thinking: When will these guys get it? I am.
There have been several times I have forgotten that Jesus is the answer. I regularly attended Sunday School as a child and learned about these Bible stories. I asked Jesus to be my personal Savior when I was in the sixth grade, but this did not stop me from being anxious and worrying. In fact, there were many times in my life (in college, in my marriage, and in my job) when I did not trust in Jesus and became paralyzed with fear as I was not living in biblical community or relying on God's Word. This changed, however, when I joined Watermark and attended Celebrate Recovery, a biblical recovery ministry. I finally understood that God is sufficient, and I could have peace no matter what my circumstances were.
I have come to know this peace through studying God's Word, praying, seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit, and staying accountable with community. These things have allowed me to believe God's truth that He will sustain me. Jesus says, "I tell you not to worry about everyday life . . . . [Y]our heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." (Matthew 6:25, 32-33, NLT)
Discussion Questions
1. What are you worrying about? Have you looked to the Bible for answers? Have you shared your worries with those with whom you're in community?
2. What does Paul say about being anxious? Hint: Philippians 4:6.
3. What steps can you take to remind yourself of and believe in God's truth instead of worrying about your circumstances?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Have you ever needed something and seen God provide for you? Have each person share about how God provided.
2. Jesus wanted the disciples to not worry about how they would eat, but instead to remember what He had already done and to have faith He would provide this time as well. What do you need in your life right now? Do you believe that God can provide for you again?