Isn't it interesting that
sometimes no matter what you do, it's just not enough? Rather than
"interesting," maybe the more apt descriptive word would be
frustrating or disappointing. But for whom? In this case as we move forward,… the "whom" is the person who has the dunamis.
Jesus and his disciples
remain in the Decapolis. This
isn't their first time into this mainly Gentile settled region -- MARK 5:1-20.
As explored in the blog post, "Being the Mustard Seed," one man may have had great influence in
spreading the good news (of his healing and of Jesus) throughout the Decapolis.
Jesus told the Gerasene to tell others what had been done for him. Hence,… verse
1 -- a large crowd of 4,000+ had gathered.
The feeding of
4,000+, in the Gospel of MARK, was also included in MATTHEW but not the other
gospels. Why did the writer believe this event to be so significant? Hasn't
Jesus done this miracle before?
Consider some of the
differences between the feeding of the 5,000+ and 4,000+.
* In the first story, the
crowd gathered, ate and dispersed in one day; in the second story, the
crowd had been with Jesus for three days.
* In the first story,
Jesus fed the Jews; in the second story, Jesus fed the Gentiles.
* In the first story, we
have the symbolic number of "7" (combining five loaves and two fish);
in the second, we have the symbolic number of "7" twice (seven loaves
and seven baskets).
These verses follow-through
with Jesus sharing the good news with those considered unclean and defiled. Now
he has an eager throng anxious to be fed. They are hungry for what Jesus has to
provide.
We also see Jesus' heart.
"I have compassion for these people." Before they leave for their
homes, Jesus wants to fill not only their hearts and minds but their stomachs
as well.
Here we go again. Haven't
the disciples been in dismay before -- not having enough food to feed the masses?
Why do we need to see their inability to believe those who hunger can be fed? …Thoughts?
One thought for me is…
those who follow Jesus have much to learn. It's not enough to have seen the act
/ heard the message before. The example needs to be happen again for it to
stick.
But… something just as
intriguing happens after the fact (or act).
DID YOU
KNOW…?
In the first story
(feeding 5,000+), the word for basket is kophinos,
which describes the basket in which food for the short journey was carried. In
the second story (feeding 4,000+), the word for basket is sphuris, which describes a basket like a hamper. [i] The apostle Paul was let
down over the wall of Damascus in this type of basket (big enough to hold a
man) -- ACTS 9:25.
A basket big enough to
hold a man? Really?!? And by the time Jesus gave thanks, broke the available
bread (seven loaves) and gave it to the people, seven of these large types of
basketfuls of "crumbs" were left over after everyone ate?
Let's not get hung up on
the "how"; let's consider "why" this story is being told.
The feeding of the 5,000+ focused on the individual (using kophinos). The feeding of the 4,000+
focused on the whole (using sphuris).
Jesus' ministry now expands from the individual to the "whole" world.
We are complete; we are "full" of praise -- using the number
"7" for its symbolism. [ii]
Now for the trips from one
side of the Sea of Galilee (SW) to the other side (NE) and then in quick
fashion to another side (NE) -- condensing travel time into four verses. Why in
the world did the writer include this journey to Dalmanutha
-- "a location not mentioned in any secular
literature and only mentioned here in the New Testament" [iii] (related to the same
story in MATTHEW stating the region near Magdala)?
Why? Because I believe it
was important for the listeners to understand those who had little were being
satisfied; those who had much, nothing could satisfy them. The Pharisees, a
controlling party, had already decided to not believe in Jesus. No matter what
he said or did, it wasn't enough. They'd never be satisfied. And their
"testing" was like that of Satan (the adversary).
"Show us a sign --
from heaven. Not just any sign. Your earthly miracles are so yesterday. Show us
you're more than a one-trick (miracle) pony. We want an astronomical
miracle!"
Is it any wonder Jesus
sighed deeply and got in the boat with his disciples to head for Bethsaida (to
the NE side)?
Jesus isn't about
"signs." The writer of this gospel "characterizes Jesus'
miracles in different terms by calling them acts of power, dunamis, rather than signs." [iv] The power Jesus has is
inherent; it is moral and excellent; it comes from God and does good; it is a
power to change lives for the better. But what it isn't… is about a magician
pulling a rabbit out of a hat.
There's more to Jesus.
He's no one-trick (miracle) pony. Believe it.
NEXT
Beware of the
"Leaven"
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