During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.” Mark 8:1-3
“Jesus’ compassion for the crowd prompts Him a second time to feed a large crowd, which has been with Him for three days without anything to eat. The “three days” emphasizes their great need, which is compounded by traveling a long distance to hear Jesus. They are in a desolate area far from home, and Jesus fears that they might faint if He sends them away without some nourishment. This detail underscores the great attraction of Jesus. People flock to Him to a desert place and are willing to go hungry for three days without a single complaint.”
David E. Garland in Mark (NIVAC; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996) 305.
Over the next week, as I approach 4,000 daily posts over the past 11 years, we will explore the deep nuances of the feeding of the 4,000. This miracle appears in two Gospels, Matthew and Mark, and it seems fitting to explore at this time because contains themes of compassion and generosity.
Three days. It is the length of time in Scripture that links to divine intervention. Esther calls for a three-day fast. Jonah is in the belly of the whale for three days. Jesus accomplishes our eternal salvation in three days. I could give many more examples.
These people have not eaten for three days. Jesus has compassion on them. They set aside their physical desires to feed on the bread of life, so He meets them with divine intervention and feeds their empty stomachs. Imagine how hungry they would have been?
What comes into view for me is that regardless of our needs, if we sit at the feet of Jesus, He can meet them. And, if we are close to Him, He may ask us to distribute what He supplies to others. And if we think it’s not going to be enough, we just have to trust Him.