THE GOSPEL OF MARK: MARK 8

Message by Dr. Christin Taylor - February 22, 2026

Mark 8 NIV "During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 'I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance'..."

Big idea: God’s provision isn’t tied to who we are; it’s a testimony to who he is.

 “All things horrible and disgraceful flow from all quarters, as to a common receptacle, and where they are encouraged.” - Tacitus

God’s provision doesn’t choose favourites.

The only prerequisite for God’s provision is our need.

“I have compassion for these people…If I send them home…..” - Jesus

“I have compassion for these people…If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.” - Jesus

We don’t have to “get it” for God to “give it.” 

“But where, in this remote place, can anyone get enough bread to feed them?” - Disciples

 Saying "Yes" to Jesus' New Reality

• Live like someone who belongs - because you do!

• Get in touch with your need - and bring it to Jesus.

• Practice remembering God’s provision - because being human means being forgetful. 

Will you dare to trust that God is as good as Jesus reveals him to be?

About Christin Taylor: Christin Taylor grew up a missionary kid living overseas. When she was 14, her parents retired from the mission field and moved to Central Indiana, where she went to Indiana Wesleyan University and met her Canadian husband, Dwayne. They immigrated to Ontario in 2015 with their two kids, Noelle and Nathan, and have lived here happily ever after. She has her Ph.D. in English Language and Literature and runs the Writing Centre at Laurier University. She and Dwayne have been at Westheights for the past year and are grateful for this community.