Review of Loaves

“And sighing deeply in His spirit, He said, ‘Why does this generation seek for a sign?  Truly I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.’  And leaving them, He again embarked and went away to the other side. 

“And they had forgotten to take bread; and did not have more than one loaf in the boat with them.  And He was giving orders to them, saying, ‘Watch out!  Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.’ 

“And they began to discuss with one another the fact that they had no bread.  And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, ‘Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread?  Do you not yet see or understand?  Do you have a hardened heart? 

“’Having eyes, do you not see?  And having ears, do you not hear?  And do you not remember, when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces you picked up?’  They said to Him, twelve. 

“’And when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of broken pieces did you pick up?’  And they said to Him, ‘Seven.’” Mark 8:12-20

When you read through the four Gospels, you often wonder at all the stories repeated.  You may be tempted to do a bit of ‘cross-referencing’ with those you remember that occur in other books or chapters.  The feeding of the five thousand and four thousand is an example. 

Another peculiarity in Scripture when a word is repeated, such as the times Jesus says, ‘Truly, truly…’  This convention is used because there was no higher word to express a ‘higher truly’.  But when Jesus says ‘Truly, truly’, this is to bring extra emphasis on what is being said. 

Perhaps the repetition of feeding His disciples and numerous people, is in our Bibles to give the act extra emphasis -- that what is being shared is important.  Therefore, it seems to me we should all pay close-close attention while reading these repetitions.

Take care with love, especially His, from Darlene, who still prays for you each day.