Scripture: Mark 6:30-44
As Mark continues to present Jesus as the Messiah worthy of the crown, in this passage we see Jesus’ compassion for the lost, the disciples seeing a problem but unable to solve it, Jesus blessing what was available and feeding and satisfying the people’s needs. Just as the crowd two thousand years ago in Israel needed a shepherd to save and care for them, today we still need a shepherd to save us and satisfy our greatest needs. Jesus is that Good Shepherd.
Christ’s compassion for the lost
Disciples can’t fix a problem
Jesus blessed what was available
Jesus feeds and satisfies
Jesus is the bread of eternal life that fills and satisfies our souls. Hebrews shows Jesus as the better Moses who is the bread of eternal life. He is all we need.
The feeding of the 5,000 is also a picture of the last supper, a year later, at Passover Jesus would again ask God’s blessing, break the bread, and share it with his disciples. We remember this each month as we celebrate the Lord’s Table in communion – all eating from the same bread.
The passage ends with the declaration that after all ate and were satisfied, there were 5,000 men not counting women and children. This truly was a miraculous event. That many people could not even have shared a crumb from the bread and fish. But they didn’t have to settle for crumbs they were full. And there were still twelve full baskets of leftovers. Each of the twelve disciples had plenty to eat for that day and for several days to come.
God provides for His children. For those who trust in Him.
In His sermon on the mount, Jesus said
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
This freedom from worry about our daily needs, frees us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. We don’t need to be anxious about our daily needs when we can bring those cares to Jesus in prayer.
Take Aways
Do you see people through Jesus’ eyes of compassion? Or do people simply annoy you and you can’t be bothered? Even when we are tired and worn out from doing good, God calls us to view others as more important than ourselves. Pray for patience and mercy especially when you are tired and vulnerable.
When you see a problem or a potential opportunity are you stopped by your own limited resources? Or do you seek God’s blessing and omnipotent power that can do absolutely anything? Do you seek to say “Yes” more than you say “No?”
Are you willing to offer whatever you have to God for His service and His glory? Or are you tightly holding on to it so you don’t lose it?
Have you accepted the bread of life, Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? He is the Good Shepherd who sees you are lost and knows you need to be saved. He will satisfy your soul and give you eternal life.
