Instruction
Scripture: Mark6:30-44
After Jesus’ disciples returned from their time of preaching
repentance, casting out demons, and anointing and healing the sick, Jesus
invited them to a time of rest. The time of rest, however, turned into a new
opportunity for ministry because when people recognized them they flocked to
Jesus and the Disciples. Jesus had compassion on the crowds and he taught them,
and later he fed them with miraculous food. While this passage gives evidence
that Jesus is God, it also shows his compassion for people’s lives as he fed
them both spiritually and physically.
Teaching
We should note well that Jesus cares about the physical need
of his followers. The reason they went to a desolate place was so that they
could rest. When the crowds gathered, Jesus’ compassion moved him to feed them
until they were satisfied.
This is not to say that there was no spiritual care here.
Jesus taught the crowds. When it was evident that the people would need to be
fed, he tested his disciples, “You give them something to eat.” This was not a
matter of planning and logistics, but of helping them put their faith in him
and his Father who provides for his people.
Life
Have you ever felt like a member of the crowd in this
account? Have you, looking at your life, seen how God has provided for you
physically and spiritually? Examine your life. What part of it doesn’t have its
source in God’s provision for your life? It is all from him because of his love
for you. That is not to say that life will never be challenging – the people
came to Jesus hungry – but God provides for this life, and, more importantly,
for the next. Of course we see the provision God has made for our greatest need
in Jesus’ cross, where he died to pay for our sins and to show us the depth of
God’s love for us.
Have you ever felt like one of Jesus’ disciples in this
account? Have you seen the needs of others and in some sense felt like God was
calling you to care for their needs; to join him in having compassion for them?
Even here God provides. He uses the insufficient things we offer – five loaves
and two fish – in ways we cannot imagine. God’s mercy to you includes you in
sharing his mercy with others. Do not underestimate how God might use even the
smallest act of kindness you might perform in Jesus’ name!
Prayer
This prayer is written
in the theme of Petition.
O God, there are many times in this world that we live
without refreshment and rest. Please help us set aside the time that we need to
rest so that having been refreshed we may serve you better. Be with those who
are so busy trying to make ends meet in this life that they are weary and give
them rest. Move in our hearts to have compassion on the many people around us
who are like sheep without a shepherd, help us to point them to Jesus, the Good
Shepherd who cares for us and for them. We pray that you would provide for the
hungry, the needy, and all who are in physical want and need. Provide for them,
and use our small offerings to great effect for them. And we pray that you feed
us spiritually as well. Allow us to hear Jesus’ teaching in the word and use us
to feed others with it, too, so that they may know you through Jesus. It is in
his name that we pray. Amen.
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