Mark 8 THE SIGN OF MESSIAH IN THE WILDERNESS

God fed the Israelites in the wilderness for forty years. He cared for them. Yet, there is the Messianic Psalm 78 that says they doubted that God could feed them in the wilderness. They grumbled that God could not supply them in the desert.

And so, Jesus is here in the wilderness with 4000 people. In miniature, they re-create the Exodus event. Jesus notices that they are in a wilderness, and that they are hungry. Using almost the same wording as in Psalm 78, He wonders aloud what should be done to take care of their need. The disciples, being normal men of flesh and bone, and missing most of the Messianic markers along the way, anyway, suggest that He send them home to eat. But Jesus, knowing it is His role as Provider to supply food in that barren place, feeds them Himself.

Given the perspective of a couple thousand years, I can see today that Jesus was proving His divinity, even as He was providing for the physical needs of the people. I wonder how many people that day said to themselves, "Who but God can feed so many people in a wilderness like this? He must be God in the flesh! Praise Emmanuel! God is with us!"

"LORD, in the same way, I don't want to miss Your wonders today. When You care for me, when You bless our church, when You guide or even discipline our nation, You again show Your sovereignty. I see You, and I want to catch the markers of Your character when they come. Precious Lord, reveal Your heart to me. In the name of Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, I ask it. Amen."
-ker