Mark 6:30-44
This miracle is recorded in all 4 gospels. It is the only miracle reported outside of the resurrection by all 4 writers. Mt 14.13-21; Lk 9.10-17; Jn 6.1-13
Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.
But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.
When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, “This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late. Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat.” But He answered and said to them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to Him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?” But He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they found out they said, “Five, and two fish.”
Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties. And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all. So they all ate and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish. Now those who had eaten the loaves were about five thousand men.
Introduction – IRS
A sideshow strongman was exhibiting his prowess and as a final trick he squeezed the juice from a lemon between his hands and then offered ten dollars to anyone in the audience who could squeeze a single drop out of it. Several husky men tried, to no avail. Finally, a small bespectacled man came forward. He took the lemon in hand, and to the delight of the audience, managed to squeeze one more drop from the lemon. As the strongman paid out the ten dollars, he asked the man, "What is the secret of your strength. How did you manage to get that last drop?" "Oh," the man replied, "I worked for the IRS for 30 years."
Like the IRS, Jesus is able to get more out of less. Unlike the IRS, Jesus is able to show compassion. Let’s examine what Jesus does to radically change peoples lives.
As Jesus meets with the disciples following their adventure of sharing the Good News, we find them having a…
A Remarkable Celebration 30-32.
The disciples shared with Jesus the results of their going into the cities and villages. Everyone had a story to share!
First, they saw that there were Lives changed. People were healed physically and spiritually. It was God’s power revealed through them. They represented Christ in the world. Today, we also represent Christ to a lost world. Perhaps we don’t do it as well as we ought but we are His representatives.
We find also that the Kingdom was proclaimed. As imperfect as that is we are still the only option for the world to hear the message of Christ. What it tells us to do is be faithful in all we do!
And finally, Jesus provides them with the words that Relaxation was encouraged. They needed the rest after being out for an unknown amount of time. I discern that believers ought to have times or rest and refreshment. There is a time we should breakaway. It doesn’t always work out that way but we should make the attempt.
Illustration – Evangelism Statistics
The late Roland Q. Leavell in his book, Evangelism: Christ’s Imperative Commission, stated that of all the reported Church members: 15 per cent cannot be found, 20 per cent never pray, 25 per cent never read the Bible, 30 per cent never attend Church services, 40 per cent never give to the church, 50 per cent never go to Sunday School, 60 per cent never go to Church Sunday night, 80 per cent never go to prayer meeting, 90 per cent never have family worship, and 95 per cent never win a soul to Christ. If these statistics are correct, they simply mean that only 5 per cent of the Church members are obedient to Christ.
Our responsibility is to continue to be faithful in God’s work. There will be a time of ultimate refreshment when we rest in His Presence! But for now, we work.
In verses 33-34, we find the disciples in…
A Difficult Situation.
They had just arrived and communicated their stories when the masses appeared. Jesus saw them more than masses or numbers. He saw them as lost sheep having no shepherd. They were lost sheep that had no spiritual Connection. They were wandering and seeking a shepherd. Jesus made this evident in John 10 when he addresses their true need. He is the true shepherd.
Not only did they not have a spiritual connection, they had no spiritual Direction. They were searching and seeking someone to provide direction for them. Today we would say they needed to purchase a good GPS. The Word is our GPS to the Father. We ought to tell others what we have received through Christ.
And finally they had no spiritual Instruction. Notice the first thing Jesus does is to sit down and teach them. Scripture says He taught them many things. To the people, I am sure it was as Bo Pilgrim stated, “A mind-boggling thing.” He astounded them with His words which were unlike the “professional” teachers of their days. Clarity of the Word is important today as well. We are given a charge to make the Word understandable. The people need to hear and know God’s Word.
Illustration – Faithful Instructions
There was a man who got lost in the desert. After wandering around for a long time his throat became very dry, about that time he saw a little shack in the distance. He made his way over to the shack and found a water pump with a small jug of water and a note. The note read: "pour all the water into the top of the pump to prime it, if you do this you will get all the water you need". Now the man had a choice to make, if he trusted the note and poured the water in and it worked he would have all the water he needed. If it didn’t work he would still be thirsty and he might die. Or he could choose to drink the water in the jug and get immediate satisfaction, but it might not be enough and he still might die. After thinking about it the man decided to risk it. He poured the entire jug into the pump and began to work the handle, at first nothing happened and he got a little scared but he kept going and water started coming out. So much water came out he drank all he wanted, took a shower, and filled all the containers he could find. Because he was willing to give up momentary satisfaction, he got all the water he needed. Now the note also said: after you have finished, please refill the jug for the next traveler.” The man refilled the jug and added to the note: “Please prime the pump, believe me it works”! We have the same choice to make, do we hold on to what we have because we don’t believe there are better things in store for us, and settle for immediate satisfaction? Or do we trust God and give up all that we have to get what God has promised us? I think the choice is obvious. We need to pour in all the water, trust God with everything. Then once we have experienced what God has to offer, the living water, we need to tell other people, “Go ahead prime the pump, believe me it works”!
Faithfulness to God and His Word is required of His followers. It’s NOT about numbers, nickels and noses but about faithfulness to His will. I am afraid we have Americanized the gospel to be “success” driven rather than faithful-livin’.
Jesus then posed a test question to the disciples to see what they might do. Now remember, they had been out sharing the gospel and having folks lives radically changed. So He asks His disciples to feed the people. They were incredulous! They didn’t have enough to buy the food and they could only round up five loaves and two small fish. It was hardly enough for 8000 people to feed upon!
So He requires of them in verses 35-41…
A Forceful Deliberation.
Notice first their Request in verses 35-36. They wanted Jesus to send them away. It was late and there were no local Jack-in-the Boxes or Sonics’ nearby. They desperately wanted them to leave.
But then notice His Response in verse 37. Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.” He wanted them to look past their strength and resources. He wanted them to trust Him. Wow, what a teachable moment!
And here’s a look at their Resources in verse 38. They certainly didn’t have 200+ denarii to purchase food. All they could rustle up was 5 loaves and 2 fish. It’s kind of like having five half pieces of pita bread and a couple of sardines. Yech! Our resources in life are similar to that…not much and pretty unsavory!
Then in verses 39-41, we notice His Recognition. Jesus recognized their immediate and future needs. He would do what only God can do. He fed the multitude by the hand of God.
Illustration - Trust
The African impala can jump to a height of over 10 feet and cover a distance of greater than 30 feet. Yet these magnificent creatures can be kept in an enclosure in any zoo with a 3-foot wall. The animals will not jump if they cannot see where their feet will fall. Faith is the ability to trust what we cannot see, and with faith we are freed from the flimsy enclosures of life that only fear allows to entrap us.
Too often, we look at what we don’t have and won’t trust God to do what only He can do. We may not be able to see over the wall or around the corner so we must learn to trust Him.
And finally in verses 42-44, we see…
A Dramatic Illustration.
The people didn’t get just a taste, they were filled to Overflowing. Jesus provided them with more than they expected. In fact, the scripture relates that the disciples picked up 12 baskets of leftovers! Wow, what a Savior! He does exceedingly abundantly more than we can ever imagine!
And we find the disciples were Overwhelmed. Jesus provided more than their imaginations could’ve expected in their wildest dreams. The people were so excited they wanted to make Jesus their earthly Messiah. (See John 6:15) He could restore Israel as a great kingdom again! Jesus mission however, was to die for our sinful nature. He will come back as reigning Messiah but His time was not yet.
Isn’t the nature of mankind? We want to be a part of power and prosperity! Jesus’ purpose is higher than our purpose and His ways higher than our ways. Our blessings overflow and we are certainly overwhelmed! He died for the sins of man but not all will trust or believe in Him.
