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

Day 13 | March 16 | Mark 6:30-44
By: John Overholt

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)

Posted in
Tagged with ,

5 Comments


Ron spruill - March 16th, 2022 at 6:13am

Thank you for the good words John! Jesus is enough! Blessings on you today!

Kasey Johnson - March 16th, 2022 at 2:04pm

John - I love your question about preparation. Too often I try to think of everything ahead of time instead of seeing the current situation as an opportunity to watch God do something new - for everyone! Thank you for your words!

Amy Wetmore - March 16th, 2022 at 8:55pm

Soo good!!!!

Amy Wetmore - March 16th, 2022 at 8:55pm

Love that last line…” our faith is enhanced by seeing His care and provision.” Thanks John!

John Pickens - March 18th, 2022 at 7:03am

Great thought! Jesus saw the potential, not the lack. Thank you for sharing these encouraging words.

Recent

Archive

 2022

Categories

Tags