Day 13 | March 16 | Mark 6:30-44

Have you ever been invited to a meeting on a hillside? Perhaps it was part of a camp meeting where you were to meet and hear a speaker.

The case in Mark 6 is a setting where people were coming to hear Jesus of Nazareth, the new prophet who had uncommon insights into the Torah. The account given by Mark is probably in the Scripture as told to him by the Apostle Peter. A big issue with the disciples and Jesus just before this event was the beheading of Jesus' cousin, John the Baptist.

The disciples had been sent out and returned to report on their experiences. They found a meeting in progress with the other disciples and Jesus in a large crowd on the shore near the Sea of Galilee. They were swarmed by the masses who were drawn in by the unique messages and physical healing. Jesus continued his teaching all day and when evening came the disciples were aware that this large crowd would be getting tired and hungry. They suggested the crowd be dismissed to find their own food in the area. Jesus confronted the disciples that they should feed them. Right away the solution imagined by the disciples was that buying food for this large crowd would be very expensive. Jesus redirected their thinking, saying "what food do you have?" They surveyed the crowd and Simon found that they had five loaves of bread and two fish, far too little to feed such a large group.

Was it poor planning to not anticipate the need for food for this crowd? Who would be responsible for this?

Jesus saw the potential in the one lunch that was found. He took the loaves and fish, gave thanks to the Father for them, and broke them into pieces to be distributed. The people were organized into groups of 100 and 50. Jesus directed the disciples to pass out the food to the groups and to gather what remained. Somehow they had enough empty baskets to hold the overage amounts- twelve baskets!

Jesus was concerned with all of the people, not just the disciples. His miracle was a demonstration of faith to see the massive need supplied. Jesus cares about us, too, and we can take our needs to him. Our faith is enhanced by seeing his care and provision. For a visual aid, try a fish sandwich for lunch. (smile)