There's Nothing To Eat

TITLE: THERE’S NOTHING TO EAT

SCRIPTURE: ST. MARK 6:37

Having the grandchildren for the past few weeks has already proven very challenging. They arrived over the recent holiday so we have had food galore around the house. I have been amazed whenever I hear them say to Michelle and me – There’s Nothing To Eat. How many times have you heard this from your children while they’re rifling through the fridge and cupboards on a food foraging mission? How many times did we ourselves say that to our own parents while we were growing up? And the usual answer that comes from mom or dad is this - “there’s plenty of food in this house for you to eat!”

• Sound familiar?

• More often than not, there is indeed plenty of food to eat that’s right under our nose

• It might not be exactly what we wanted or what we were looking for, but there is food right there, if we’re willing to accept it

And that’s where the problem lies - we’re not sure we are willing to accept it because it’s not what we were looking for. This helps to set the stage for today’s Gospel lesson as Jesus feeds the 5000 with five loaves and two fish. Other than Jesus’ resurrection, the feeding of the 5,000 is the only miracle to occur in all four gospels. This repetition gives it a high degree of importance. I want to focus on just one detail of the narrative. When the great multitude came to Jesus in the wilderness, he was moved with compassion because he saw they were tired and hungry. Late in the day his disciples suggested he send the people home so they could find something to eat.

Let me take a moment to back up to ensure we know why Jesus and the disciples were there and how they encountered so many people who wanted to hear him. John The Baptist had become a thorn in the side of the monarchy and an enemy of those who believed they didn’t have to be accountable for their actions. Out of hatred and jealousy, King Herod’s wife and daughter demanded – and received – John’s head on a platter.

In grief and sorrow, Jesus withdrew to a place apart; a place where he could spend time alone praying and recovering from his heartfelt anguish.

• But solitude was something which was rare for him, and it was not to be found this time

• The crowds followed him

• His compassion overrode his fatigue and he moved about them, Preaching- Teaching - Touching - Healing

When evening came, it was obvious they were hungry. After all, even the most compelling of teachers – even the Son of God - can’t hold a crowd’s attention indefinitely without a break now and then for food and a bathroom. There were five thousand men there that day. The miracle that is about to happen increases in amazement when you stop to consider there were probably more than 5,000 people there – the text says 5,000 plus women and children.

• Let’s make the assumption that most of those men were married

• They would have had their wives along

• In addition, there would have been children as well

• All in all, we may be talking about 15 to 20,000 people - a huge crowd

The disciples, not being all that creative, didn’t see any way they could feed all these people. So they began to encourage Jesus to send them away while it was still light enough that they could make their way into town to find food and shelter. Jesus told them sending them away wasn’t necessary. He told the disciples to feed them. Wait a Minute, What….Really!

• Disciples in essence were saying to Jesus, the crowds hunger was not their problem

• Jesus floors, them by saying – “Give Them Something to Eat”

Don’t be too hard on the disciples, after all, what would we have done? It’s late, the people are tired and hungry –

• Local Burger King is closed for remodeling

• The nearest Walmart is in Jerusalem

• Pizza Hut doesn’t deliver to the wilderness

• Door Dash needs a physical address

The disciples therefore make a very practical suggestion -- “send them away and let them find their own food.”

• That’s logical

• The suggestion is not made from bad motives

• In themselves the disciples had no resources to meet this enormous need

• They had no food and no money

• What else could they do?

• They could do nothing!

• They say “THERE’S NOTHING TO EAT”

Most of us would have said the same thing. We’re quick to see what we can’t do and quick to talk about what we don’t have. The disciples saw the crowds and realized their inadequacy. Somehow, they forgot the Son of God was standing right there with them. In the days of Jesus, snicker candy bars weren’t an option. There were basically two food groups - bread and fish. The disciples looked around, rummaged through their pockets, canvassed the area, talked with other folks present and discovered all they could come up with were five loaves of bread and two fish and what was that for such a large crowd!