Mark 6:35-44 - Five Thousand Men Fed

Mark 6:35-44
³⁵ When it was already quite late, His disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and it is already quite late; ³⁶ send them away so that they may 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 spend two hundred denarii on bread and give them something to eat?” ³⁸ And He *said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go look!” And when they found out, they *said, “Five, and two fish.” ³⁹ And He commanded them all to sit down by groups on the green grass. ⁴⁰ They sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties. ⁴¹ And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food and broke the loaves and He kept giving them to the disciples to set before them; and He divided up the two fish among them all. ⁴² They all ate and were satisfied, ⁴³ and they picked up twelve full baskets of the broken pieces, and also of the fish. ⁴⁴ There were five thousand men who ate the loaves.

Message: Five Thousand Men Fed

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus is in Nazareth, his hometown, but he doesn't get the reception that we would think. Instead of welcoming him, people question him. But he continues with his message of repent and believe. Jesus is becoming more and more well known and his message is reaching further and further. With that sometimes comes misunderstanding. Herod Antipas, one of 4 rulers of Rome now, wonders if Jesus is a resurrected John. John is killed mainly because Herodias was confronted with her sin and was upset at John. Now, the apostles arrive back after Jesus had sent them out. Jesus has them go off to a secluded place to get rest, but mobs of people swarm them and Jesus realizes these people need to be taught, so he does that, teaches them.

Now, I come upon the feeding of 5,000 - the one miracle that is recorded in all 4 gospels. This is an interesting miracle. While many were affected, the disciples were also very affected. As a reminder, the apostles have returned from ministering and speak of what they have done first, then what they taught. As the people come to them, Jesus sees they are without a shepherd still. What is it they are really following? Jesus sees the need to teach them. Then the disciples mention turning people away now because it is time to eat. But, Jesus reminds them that he can do everything and can provide food for a few people.

Mark's words seem to really focus more on the disciples rather than the 5,000. Upon the disciples mentioning that the people need to go back to the city and countryside in order to be fed, Jesus responds to them with these words: “You give them something to eat!” Jesus has already equipped his disciples and given them the idea that there needs would be taken care of, to the point that went he sent them they did not have to be concerned about taking food, clothing, or anything. Perhaps, the disciples really didn't comprehend yet the extent of what Jesus meant by this. his authority, but perhaps they didn't have a full understand of what they could do. Perhaps I am the same way. Perhaps my faith is also weak. Maybe when God tells me to do something, I first want to figure out all the details, get all the training, do all my homework, getting comfortable and prepared and then I go. It is hard to know. But, clearly the disciples looked at their situation and didn't first think that this could be a spiritual solution, a God-sized solution. Instead, they stared at their surroundings. 

So, I'm not saying that every situation in life can simply be addressed by faith without asking any questions. But, do I approach situations with a confidence in the Savior? Or am I too quick to stare at limitations and current situations and assume that I then have all the understanding. 

In Judaism, this prayer is common -- Praise to you, O Lord our God, king of the world, who makes bread to come forth from the earth, and who provides for all that you have created. 

This prayer now takes on a meaning from this miracle. God did indeed make bread come forth from the earth. It says that There were five thousand men who ate the loaves. Chances are then that many more than 5,000 were fed if only the men were counted. The majority of commentaries have the population of Nazareth at this time to be 1500 but some say smaller, while others larger. The fact that so many people had come to this area, following Jesus and his disciples therefore is significant and also speaks to the time frame. I read the Bible thinking it is daily accounts, but it is more possible that the time between Jesus asking his disciples to go to a secluded place and the feeding of the 5,000 was weeks, in order to support the coming of all of these people as it does say in verse 33 - The people saw them going, and many recognized them and ran there together on foot from all the cities, and got there ahead of them.

Summary - The disciples are told by Jesus to feed these people that have come to them to listen to Jesus' teaching. The disciples see that the only solution is to send them away and let them fend for themselves, but Jesus tells the disciples to feed them. They don't understand how, so Jesus shows them his hand of providence. Jesus takes care of the situation. 

Promise: Jesus meets our needs, all of them. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for this reminder that you are our provider and you take care of our needs, my needs. When you call us, you promise to provide for us as well. We are people too often of little faith. Thank you for this reminder that you do provide. I want to trust you always. Help my faith to increase.