Mark 8:1-9 Feeding of the Four Thousand

1 During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 2 "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance."
4 His disciples answered, "But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?" 5 "How many loaves do you have?" Jesus asked. "Seven," they replied.
6 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people, and they did so. 7 They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. 8 The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 9 About four thousand were present. And having sent them away, 10 he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.

Thoughts: Perhaps this is the most neglected miracle that Jesus performed.  The feeding of the five thousand is more prominent-featured in every gospel; has a revered place (Tabgha)- Matthew says this took place on a mountian in Galilee (Mt. 15:29); certainly there were less people than the miracle of the 5,000.  But 4,000 people out in the countryside is still a lot of people to feed!  He fed them on the third day- a symbolic reminder of God's provision for us after a period of waiting and hunger- like the resurrection.  As three days assures they had run out of food, so three days in the tomb assured Jesus was really dead. 
In tough economic times we need to remember God cares about our needs.  It is not that Jesus is so spiritual or ethereal that he doesn't care- and restricts himself only to helping us spiritually.  God still cares about our needs- but we need to turn to him as provider and not turn away.  Perhaps a lesson to learn today is that our companies are not our provider; the banks or credit card companies are not our provider; the government is not our provider; but the Lord is the One who cares and can provide daily bread- or keep us alive in famine (Psalm 33:18; 1 Kings 17:1-4).

Prayer: Jehovah Jirah- my provider- thank you for all you have done.  We look to you for help and your provision in our times of need.
John Calvin abridged: Christ satisfied five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes, while, on the present occasion, four
thousand men are fed with seven loaves and a few small fishes; and that twelve baskets were then filled with fragments, while out of a greater abundance a smaller portion is left. Let us learn from this, that the power of God is not restricted to means or outward assistance, and that it is all one with Him whether there be much or little, as Jonathan said when speaking of his own moderate army and the vast multitude of enemies: there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few,(1 Samuel 14:6.)