Feeding the People - Mark 6:30-44
Feeding the People - Mark 6:30-44
By Pastor Lee Hemen
January 31, 2010 AM
There is an old joke that asks, “How many southern Baptist does it take to change a light bulb?” The answer is, “Nine. Seven to form a committee on ‘finding the right price for light bulbs’, one to change it, and one to bring a casserole for the potluck afterwards.” Then of course, Southern Baptists are the only Christians who want to be buried with their favorite casserole dish – just in case. Do you know what the right of passage is for a Southern Baptist church member? To be able to name all the past potluck dishes served since New Years. Of course, you know you are a Southern Baptist when you watch the Food Channel and wonder how many of the exotic foods would taste in a casserole.
We often take food for granted. It is reasonable that we do because we live in a country where food is readily available and cheap. During Jesus’ day, there was not a great variety of foods. Even those who could afford something different were limited in what they could eat. Except perhaps where food prices are concerned, we should not long for the “good-old-days,” because we enjoy a greater variety, quality, and abundance of food. Recently, an article stated that the United States alone could easily feed the entire world if needed because of the advancements in agricultural science and the use of farmland. In Jesus’ time food was hard to come by and the search of obtaining it a daily activity. This is one reason why feeding the people takes on such significance for Jesus. However, within the context of feeding the hungry Jesus also uses it as a means to teach spiritual truth. Let’s see what Jesus does in feeding the people...
READ: Mark 6:30-44
Jesus’ disciples had just returned from their delegated mission work. They come back excited and exhausted from their exertions of ministering to others and confrontation of demonic manipulation. Jesus sees that his followers are worn out and in need of rest both spiritually and physically. The unrelenting demands of the crowd can have that effect. We discover that in...
I. Feeding the people, Jesus displays compassion! (Vv. 30-34)
1. Compassion is more than a feeling it is a choice! Jesus first displays his compassion for his own weary disciples by realizing their needs. They were both hungry and tired. Jesus sees that “so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat.” He then invites them to relax by saying, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” The place where they sailed, though unnamed by Mark, Luke relates was near Bethsaida Julias, a city across the Jordan River on the northeast side of the Sea of Galilee. (Luke 9:10) There was just one small minor problem: “many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them!” The mob is relentless. Instead of being annoyed at them, as we would, Jesus instead shows his followers his true character. In seeing the large crowd, “he had compassion on them.” Mark gives us the reason as well: “because they were like sheep without a shepherd.” The crowd was made up of the country folk who had practically nothing and who lived from day to day. Even their spiritual diet suffered because of where they lived and who they were. Mark relates, “So he began teaching them many things.” Luke tells us that, “He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.” That is just like Jesus. Whether it is his own disciples or those who clamor for his attention, he finds within himself the compassion of God. In feeding people, Jesus displays his compassion.
EXAMPLE: The crowds Jesus saw had already been harassed by the wolves of the day. The ravaging wolves of physical and spiritual hunger, poverty, and enslavement had thinned their ranks. Pharisaic judgmentalism, Sadducee corruption, and Roman occupation had taken their toll from the flock of Jesus’ countrymen. The burden of self-righteous myopic judgmental religiosity was a millstone tied to the necks of the people. Jesus wanted his countrymen to know God on a deeper level than they had ever experienced him before. Jesus wanted them to know that God loved them so much that he had sent his own Son into the world. The disciples were tired and hungry after their spiritual ministry, but the crowd also needed Jesus’ attention and he immediately has compassion on them as well. In feeding people, Jesus displayed his compassion. Jesus’ compassion has not changed in two thousand years. He still sees the spiritually hungry crowds and has compassion on them. His compassion is now displayed through his disciples in his body the church. How are you displaying Jesus’ compassion for the spiritually hungry crowd?
We can often be so myopic when it comes to ministering to others. We think we do not have the time, the money, or the knowhow but Jesus has given us everything we need just as he did with his disciples. After they returned from doing some the greatest things they had ever done in their lives, they now cannot see past the difficulties involved in feed the multitude. In fact, we discover that in...
II. Feeding the people, Jesus saw possibilities where the disciples saw obstacles! (Vv. 35-38)
1. A good heart is better than all the heads in the world! -- Edward Bulwer-Lytton Here we find this to be true as far as Jesus and his men are concerned. The remote place Jesus sought to be alone with his disciples became a burden for the hungry crowd. Being “late in the day,” his disciples were not without compassion themselves, and they come to Jesus, and ask him to “Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” However, they see only the problem and not the solution. Those who had been casting out demons just a few days before were now at a loss as to what to do with such a large crowd. In fact, they had seen Jesus cast out demons, heal folks, and walk on water, could he not feed a few thousand folks. However,, the unasked question is, “Why could they not feed them?” We find Jesus telling them, “You give them something to eat.” Their sardonic reply displays they are still focused on the obstacles instead of the possibilities God provides: “That would take eight months of a man's wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” John writes Philip is the one who responds. However, we discover that Jesus “asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.” (John 6:5-6) Jesus was about to do something truly marvelous that is found in al four gospels. It carried an impact. Instead of asking how many in the crowd, Jesus asks, “How many loaves do you have?” John relates that it was a little boy’s lunch that Andrew had found. (John 6:9) There are “five small barley loaves and two small fish” according to John. I am sure the disciples thought what we would have immediately thought, “Impossible! Look at the crowd! Look at the pathetic provisions! How can we feed all of these people with five small fish and two small barley loaves?” And, if we do, our eyes are just as spiritually blinded to the potential of God as theirs were. Therefore, we discover in feeding people, Jesus saw possibilities where the disciples saw obstacles.
EXAMPLE: I must confess to you that when Denise and I first came to Grace Baptist we did not see the possibilities that God did. We did not see all the people who would walk this aisle to accept Christ for the first time. We did not see the families that would find peace, comfort, and friendship within these walls. We did not see the young people who would grow to be fine Christian men and women serving the Lord all over the world. We did not hear the wonderful music of voices lifted to exalt the Lord, the sounds of children’s laughter in the halls, nor the cry of babies coming to church for the first time. We did not hear the sound of the prayers of the saints as they bowed their heads and hearts to seek the will of the Lord. But then God did a curious thing, he allowed us to see and hear and wonder at the miracle that he was performing right before our eyes. Where we often saw obstacles, Jesus reminded us of the possibilities. What about you this morning as you sit here in worship? Are you still looking at the obstacles in your life or the possibilities that God could use? If five small barley loaves and two small fish could be used to feed five thousand, think of what God could do with little old you!
Do you remember the TV series MacGyver? The series revolved around Angus MacGyver (known to his friends as MacGyver or "Mac"). MacGyver's main asset was his practical application of scientific knowledge and inventive use of common items, along with his ever-present Swiss Army knife. The clever solutions, often in life-or-death situations, required him to improvise complex devices from everyday materials in a matter of minutes. In a sense, you could say that Jesus was a spiritual MacGyver! We discover Jesus’ resourcefulness in...
III. Feeding the people, Jesus supplies abundantly! (Vv. 39-44)
1. When God provides the meal, we all are filled! Instead of sending the crowd away, Jesus tells them to “be seated.” Can you imagine! I wonder what went through the minds of the crowd and the disciples. Yet, calmly “Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties.” Interestingly, the words “in groups” is literally, “garden plot by garden plot” and is used figuratively, perhaps picturing well-arranged plots of people, colorfully dressed, seated on the grass. The command was a challenge of faith for both the disciples and the crowd. Jesus then serves as host for the crowd, his guests. Jesus takes “the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves.” It is a traditional Jewish blessing for a meal. It is a poignant moment. There in the countryside, surrounded by thousands of sitting folk in a field, Jesus stands and blesses the small portion of food. Every eye was on him as he blessed the food. Every ear heard him give thanks and “Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all.” He gives God the glory for supplying and the disciples the duty of serving. What occurs is astounding. The provision was immediately miraculous and abundant. A simple meal for one small boy became a feast for thousands! Mark emphasized that all ate and were fully satisfied. This was confirmed by the fact that the disciples collected 12 basketfuls of leftovers, probably a basket for each disciple. Curiously, what happened to the little boy and his lunch afterwards, we are never told. Whatever did occur we know that the entire crowd “ate and were satisfied.” That is the way it is when Jesus serves us. We go away satisfied because we find that in feeding people, Jesus supplies abundantly!
EXAMPLE: How often have you, child of God, in the midst of the roaring waves of life, wondered if God could calm the storm? How often have you cried out in the night of your shadows to ask him for a little light to see your way through the darkness? How often have you wondered if God would supply your need and he has turned and given you more than you could have ever imagined! We look at the ledger and say there is not enough money, we look at the larder and say there is not enough food, we look at the clock and say there is not enough time, but God looks at the need and always supplies abundantly! He always supplies more than we need. Far too often, we think that our life should be like Disneyland, the happiest place on earth. Life does not work that way. For Jesus’ listeners it was merely another day to exist, but he desired to show them the fullness of God to supply their needs abundantly if they would let him. Now, let me ask you “Have you allowed God to supply your needs abundantly?” Remember, in feeding people, Jesus supplies abundantly.
Conclusion:
A potluck is a gathering of people where each participant is expected to bring a dish of food to be shared among the group. A Baptist Potluck is where everyone hopes that there is not an overabundance of green bean casserole. Here in Mark’s Gospel we find that an impromptu potluck of a few fish and loaves is used to convey spiritual truth. In feeding people, Jesus displays compassion; Jesus saw possibilities where the disciples saw obstacles; and Jesus supplies abundantly.
---
Pastor Lee Hemen has been the outspoken pastor of the same church for 25 years in Vancouver, WA. He writes regularly on spirituality and conservative causes and maintains several web blogs. This article is copyrighted © 2010 by Lee Hemen and is the sole property of Lee Hemen, and may not be used unless you quote the entire article and have my permission. You now have my permission...
By Pastor Lee Hemen
January 31, 2010 AM
There is an old joke that asks, “How many southern Baptist does it take to change a light bulb?” The answer is, “Nine. Seven to form a committee on ‘finding the right price for light bulbs’, one to change it, and one to bring a casserole for the potluck afterwards.” Then of course, Southern Baptists are the only Christians who want to be buried with their favorite casserole dish – just in case. Do you know what the right of passage is for a Southern Baptist church member? To be able to name all the past potluck dishes served since New Years. Of course, you know you are a Southern Baptist when you watch the Food Channel and wonder how many of the exotic foods would taste in a casserole.
We often take food for granted. It is reasonable that we do because we live in a country where food is readily available and cheap. During Jesus’ day, there was not a great variety of foods. Even those who could afford something different were limited in what they could eat. Except perhaps where food prices are concerned, we should not long for the “good-old-days,” because we enjoy a greater variety, quality, and abundance of food. Recently, an article stated that the United States alone could easily feed the entire world if needed because of the advancements in agricultural science and the use of farmland. In Jesus’ time food was hard to come by and the search of obtaining it a daily activity. This is one reason why feeding the people takes on such significance for Jesus. However, within the context of feeding the hungry Jesus also uses it as a means to teach spiritual truth. Let’s see what Jesus does in feeding the people...
READ: Mark 6:30-44
Jesus’ disciples had just returned from their delegated mission work. They come back excited and exhausted from their exertions of ministering to others and confrontation of demonic manipulation. Jesus sees that his followers are worn out and in need of rest both spiritually and physically. The unrelenting demands of the crowd can have that effect. We discover that in...
I. Feeding the people, Jesus displays compassion! (Vv. 30-34)
1. Compassion is more than a feeling it is a choice! Jesus first displays his compassion for his own weary disciples by realizing their needs. They were both hungry and tired. Jesus sees that “so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat.” He then invites them to relax by saying, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” The place where they sailed, though unnamed by Mark, Luke relates was near Bethsaida Julias, a city across the Jordan River on the northeast side of the Sea of Galilee. (Luke 9:10) There was just one small minor problem: “many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them!” The mob is relentless. Instead of being annoyed at them, as we would, Jesus instead shows his followers his true character. In seeing the large crowd, “he had compassion on them.” Mark gives us the reason as well: “because they were like sheep without a shepherd.” The crowd was made up of the country folk who had practically nothing and who lived from day to day. Even their spiritual diet suffered because of where they lived and who they were. Mark relates, “So he began teaching them many things.” Luke tells us that, “He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.” That is just like Jesus. Whether it is his own disciples or those who clamor for his attention, he finds within himself the compassion of God. In feeding people, Jesus displays his compassion.
EXAMPLE: The crowds Jesus saw had already been harassed by the wolves of the day. The ravaging wolves of physical and spiritual hunger, poverty, and enslavement had thinned their ranks. Pharisaic judgmentalism, Sadducee corruption, and Roman occupation had taken their toll from the flock of Jesus’ countrymen. The burden of self-righteous myopic judgmental religiosity was a millstone tied to the necks of the people. Jesus wanted his countrymen to know God on a deeper level than they had ever experienced him before. Jesus wanted them to know that God loved them so much that he had sent his own Son into the world. The disciples were tired and hungry after their spiritual ministry, but the crowd also needed Jesus’ attention and he immediately has compassion on them as well. In feeding people, Jesus displayed his compassion. Jesus’ compassion has not changed in two thousand years. He still sees the spiritually hungry crowds and has compassion on them. His compassion is now displayed through his disciples in his body the church. How are you displaying Jesus’ compassion for the spiritually hungry crowd?
We can often be so myopic when it comes to ministering to others. We think we do not have the time, the money, or the knowhow but Jesus has given us everything we need just as he did with his disciples. After they returned from doing some the greatest things they had ever done in their lives, they now cannot see past the difficulties involved in feed the multitude. In fact, we discover that in...
II. Feeding the people, Jesus saw possibilities where the disciples saw obstacles! (Vv. 35-38)
1. A good heart is better than all the heads in the world! -- Edward Bulwer-Lytton Here we find this to be true as far as Jesus and his men are concerned. The remote place Jesus sought to be alone with his disciples became a burden for the hungry crowd. Being “late in the day,” his disciples were not without compassion themselves, and they come to Jesus, and ask him to “Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” However, they see only the problem and not the solution. Those who had been casting out demons just a few days before were now at a loss as to what to do with such a large crowd. In fact, they had seen Jesus cast out demons, heal folks, and walk on water, could he not feed a few thousand folks. However,, the unasked question is, “Why could they not feed them?” We find Jesus telling them, “You give them something to eat.” Their sardonic reply displays they are still focused on the obstacles instead of the possibilities God provides: “That would take eight months of a man's wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” John writes Philip is the one who responds. However, we discover that Jesus “asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.” (John 6:5-6) Jesus was about to do something truly marvelous that is found in al four gospels. It carried an impact. Instead of asking how many in the crowd, Jesus asks, “How many loaves do you have?” John relates that it was a little boy’s lunch that Andrew had found. (John 6:9) There are “five small barley loaves and two small fish” according to John. I am sure the disciples thought what we would have immediately thought, “Impossible! Look at the crowd! Look at the pathetic provisions! How can we feed all of these people with five small fish and two small barley loaves?” And, if we do, our eyes are just as spiritually blinded to the potential of God as theirs were. Therefore, we discover in feeding people, Jesus saw possibilities where the disciples saw obstacles.
EXAMPLE: I must confess to you that when Denise and I first came to Grace Baptist we did not see the possibilities that God did. We did not see all the people who would walk this aisle to accept Christ for the first time. We did not see the families that would find peace, comfort, and friendship within these walls. We did not see the young people who would grow to be fine Christian men and women serving the Lord all over the world. We did not hear the wonderful music of voices lifted to exalt the Lord, the sounds of children’s laughter in the halls, nor the cry of babies coming to church for the first time. We did not hear the sound of the prayers of the saints as they bowed their heads and hearts to seek the will of the Lord. But then God did a curious thing, he allowed us to see and hear and wonder at the miracle that he was performing right before our eyes. Where we often saw obstacles, Jesus reminded us of the possibilities. What about you this morning as you sit here in worship? Are you still looking at the obstacles in your life or the possibilities that God could use? If five small barley loaves and two small fish could be used to feed five thousand, think of what God could do with little old you!
Do you remember the TV series MacGyver? The series revolved around Angus MacGyver (known to his friends as MacGyver or "Mac"). MacGyver's main asset was his practical application of scientific knowledge and inventive use of common items, along with his ever-present Swiss Army knife. The clever solutions, often in life-or-death situations, required him to improvise complex devices from everyday materials in a matter of minutes. In a sense, you could say that Jesus was a spiritual MacGyver! We discover Jesus’ resourcefulness in...
III. Feeding the people, Jesus supplies abundantly! (Vv. 39-44)
1. When God provides the meal, we all are filled! Instead of sending the crowd away, Jesus tells them to “be seated.” Can you imagine! I wonder what went through the minds of the crowd and the disciples. Yet, calmly “Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties.” Interestingly, the words “in groups” is literally, “garden plot by garden plot” and is used figuratively, perhaps picturing well-arranged plots of people, colorfully dressed, seated on the grass. The command was a challenge of faith for both the disciples and the crowd. Jesus then serves as host for the crowd, his guests. Jesus takes “the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves.” It is a traditional Jewish blessing for a meal. It is a poignant moment. There in the countryside, surrounded by thousands of sitting folk in a field, Jesus stands and blesses the small portion of food. Every eye was on him as he blessed the food. Every ear heard him give thanks and “Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all.” He gives God the glory for supplying and the disciples the duty of serving. What occurs is astounding. The provision was immediately miraculous and abundant. A simple meal for one small boy became a feast for thousands! Mark emphasized that all ate and were fully satisfied. This was confirmed by the fact that the disciples collected 12 basketfuls of leftovers, probably a basket for each disciple. Curiously, what happened to the little boy and his lunch afterwards, we are never told. Whatever did occur we know that the entire crowd “ate and were satisfied.” That is the way it is when Jesus serves us. We go away satisfied because we find that in feeding people, Jesus supplies abundantly!
EXAMPLE: How often have you, child of God, in the midst of the roaring waves of life, wondered if God could calm the storm? How often have you cried out in the night of your shadows to ask him for a little light to see your way through the darkness? How often have you wondered if God would supply your need and he has turned and given you more than you could have ever imagined! We look at the ledger and say there is not enough money, we look at the larder and say there is not enough food, we look at the clock and say there is not enough time, but God looks at the need and always supplies abundantly! He always supplies more than we need. Far too often, we think that our life should be like Disneyland, the happiest place on earth. Life does not work that way. For Jesus’ listeners it was merely another day to exist, but he desired to show them the fullness of God to supply their needs abundantly if they would let him. Now, let me ask you “Have you allowed God to supply your needs abundantly?” Remember, in feeding people, Jesus supplies abundantly.
Conclusion:
A potluck is a gathering of people where each participant is expected to bring a dish of food to be shared among the group. A Baptist Potluck is where everyone hopes that there is not an overabundance of green bean casserole. Here in Mark’s Gospel we find that an impromptu potluck of a few fish and loaves is used to convey spiritual truth. In feeding people, Jesus displays compassion; Jesus saw possibilities where the disciples saw obstacles; and Jesus supplies abundantly.
---
Pastor Lee Hemen has been the outspoken pastor of the same church for 25 years in Vancouver, WA. He writes regularly on spirituality and conservative causes and maintains several web blogs. This article is copyrighted © 2010 by Lee Hemen and is the sole property of Lee Hemen, and may not be used unless you quote the entire article and have my permission. You now have my permission...
Comments