Proper 12 (G)

Mark 8:1-13

In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples to him and said to them, ² “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. ³ And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away.” ⁴ And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?” ⁵ And he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.” ⁶ And he directed the crowd to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd. ⁷ And they had a few small fish. And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them. ⁸ And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. ⁹ And there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away. ¹⁰ And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.

¹¹ The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. ¹² And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” ¹³ And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side.

No sign will be given to this generation? He says this after he has just fed four thousand people. After feeding all these people, he gets in a boat and there are more people seeking signs. He finally says, “No More Signs.” People seek after signs because they can’t stand to listen to what Jesus is proclaiming.

The people spend all day with Jesus. They sit there listening to Jesus, and not even watching the clock (or Sun). It is the disciples who are watching the clock. It is the people who have listened and traveled with Jesus who mention the time. They are worried about not being able to feed all these people.

When you sit there and listen to Jesus talk about how his Father loves and takes care of his people. They listen to people recalling God providing bread from heaven. They listen to how God has always had a remnant of his people. God requires sacrifices on account of your sins. God provides the eternal sacrifice in his only begotten Son. Jesus Christ has redeemed you. He is the one Lord and only Son of God who loves you and provides for you.