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Jesus feeding the crowds is the only miracle recounted in all four Gospels. Matthew and Mark even include a second story of Jesus feeding the crowds, with only the number of people present differing. If you take nothing else from the presence of these stories throughout the gospels, know that they are critically important to Jesus' ministry and the gospel writers' understanding of who Jesus is. A defining aspect of who God is and how God is known in the world comes from feeding God's people.
Abraham and Sarah fed three travelers in the desert. God rained manna from heaven for the Israelites at Sinai. The widow made bread to feed the prophet Elijah. Isaiah foretells a heavenly banquet at which all people are fed regardless of their means to buy food. Jesus feeds the multitudes, he provides an abundance of wine at Cana, he breaks bread with his disciples at the Passover and with two travelers at Emmaus. Luke describes in Acts 2:42 the weekly meals that Christians ate together as a celebration of God's providence. John of Patmos describes a heavenly creation in which trees bear fruit year round to feed the people. Scripture tells the story, over and over again, of God providing for God's people. We will explore one of these accounts this Sunday as we look together at Mark 8:1-10.
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