May 20, 2010
I just don't feel like it!
Mark 6:30-44
Jennifer Hawkins
Central Truth
When we are wowed by all the things God does for us, our only response should be to do the same for others. God's example was to put people first, serve their physical and spiritual needs, and lead them well—in short, to be a shepherd!
Key Verse | Mark 6:34
When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd . . . . (Mark 6:34)
Mark 6:30-44
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. 35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. 36 Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii 1 6:37 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.
Dive Deeper | Mark 6:30-44
Jesus and the disciples fed thousands of people with only five loaves and two fish. All I can say is, "Wow." Jesus is amazing, and He can do anything!
What really spoke to me in this passage is how Jesus was just trying to get away to get some rest. Jesus and His disciples were constantly coming and going, teaching others, but not even taking time to eat. Jesus decided that it would be good for the disciples to go with Him to a remote place and get some much needed rest (verse 31). Well, word got out where they were going, and people started to run ahead of them. When Jesus and His disciples arrived ashore, they saw thousands waiting for them.
We already know that Jesus and the disciples are tired, would love some time alone, and are hungry. So what does Jesus do when He gets off the boat and sees all the people waiting for Him? He hurries back into the boat and tries to leave as fast as possible because there are just too many people to mess with, and He's just not in the mood. NO! He feels compassion for them, because they are like sheep without a shepherd. And He begins to teach them many things (verse 34).
I am glad there are so many stories like this one in the Bible to spur us on. Reading this passage reminds me that no matter how tired I am or even if I don't feel like doing something, I need to remember that people want a shepherd and need a shepherd. We all need some type of shepherding.
Father, thank you so much for allowing us to read this passage. You are amazing and wonderful. Your actions and thoughts are not about Yourself but others. I pray that I and everyone reading this will be Your shepherd for others. I pray that we will listen better, know the right words to say, and be Your hands and feet. Thank you so much for always loving us and shepherding us every day.
Discussion Questions
1. Do you say "no" more than "yes" to helping or teaching others, maybe because you are "too busy" or "too tired"?
2. Do you use God's Word to teach or do you do most of the teaching yourself?
3. What is one way you can use your gifts to shepherd today?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Why do you think all the people came without food to see Jesus?
2. Who did Jesus want to feed the people? Who made it possible for the disciples to be able to feed all the people?
3. Do you go to Jesus to get what you need to help others?