March 23, 2012 Good to Focus

Good to Focus

Mark 8:5 “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 men were present.

YOU usually focus on Jesus’ actions here, don’t you? Of course you do as you should. But let’s focus for a moment on the disciples actions.
How does Jesus involve them in his miracle? First, he asks them, “How many loaves do you have?” Why would he ask them something he would know (He is good at doing this.)? He wants them to focus on how little they have. He wants them to say, “Seven.”, so they will focus on it.
Then the disciples distribute the food. Why? Practically speaking, who else would do it? It’s an orderly process. But something else is going on here. As the disciples hand out the bread, they are piece-by-piece focusing on the Lord’s multiplying power. The same happens as they distribute the fish.
Then do you see what the disciples do? They pick up the leftovers! Why? Again it’s practical. Again, it’s to focus on the truth that they had more after the meal than they had before the meal.
Do you think the disciples could now more faithfully focus on Jesus’ multiplying power?


Pause and consider how Jesus’ multiplying power is still available for you.