January 17

Introduction

Mark 8:1–26: Similar to the feeding of five thousand people recorded in Mark 6:30–44, today’s reading provides an account of Jesus feeding four thousand people. The Pharisees seek to test Jesus, and Jesus appears exasperated at the seeming inability of the disciples to comprehend the metaphor of yeast when referring to the teachings of the Pharisees and actions of Herod. The reading concludes with an account of Jesus healing a blind man.

Today’s Key Verse: Mark 8:6b

Then [Jesus] took the seven loaves, gave thanks to God, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the crowd …

Reflect

According to verse 2, how did Jesus express compassion for the crowd? How were the people fed? How did the Pharisees seek to test Jesus (verses 11–12)? In Jesus’s warning to the disciples in verse 15, he was saying that the hypocrisy of the teachings of the Pharisees and the actions of Herod affect the whole people of God just as yeast affects a whole batch of dough (see Luke 12:1; Galatians 5:9). In what ways can people of faith today guard against being led astray by false teachings?

Pray

Jesus, you are the true bread from heaven and source of life. Nurture me daily with your teachings and help me to discern and turn away from words and actions that are not in accord with your will. Keep my heart and mind open to your voice and guide me each day in the way of your truth. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Mark 8:27—9:1: Peter declares Jesus to be the Messiah.