Scripture: Mark 6:30-43
This is a passage where Jesus is feeds the five thousand. We see that Jesus had compassion for the people because it says, “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” (verse 34). In this passage of Mark it mentions that they were in a “desolate place.” The word desolate means empty, lonely, deserted, bare. It says as it grew late, the disciples tell Jesus that it’s getting late and they should let the people go to surrounding towns to get food for themselves. Jesus tells his disciples that they should feed them. Their response was, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” They believed that they had to go buy food. But here was an opportunity for Jesus to teach them and make a point.
Jesus had compassion for the people. They were like “sheep without a shepherd.” Jesus met their spiritual needs by spending time to teach them, but now He’s going to meet their physical needs. We see the Lord’s heart here in that He wants to take care of us. He cares about every aspect of our lives, whether it’s in the natural or spiritual, emotional or physical. He’s ready and willing to meet our needs. He then shows his disciples why they should put their trust in Him. Now remember this is a desolate place, so there’s nowhere for them to get food. That is why the disciples tell Jesus it’s getting late and the people need to go and get food elsewhere because there was nothing there. Jesus says to them “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” They come back and report to him they have five loaves and two fish. Jesus then commands them to get the people to sit in groups on the grass.
Jesus then looks up to Heaven, blesses the food, and they passed them around. Not only did they have enough, it says, “And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish.” The next verse says “And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.” They did not count women and children during that time in history, so there were more than five thousand people. They were lost and hungry, in the natural and spiritual. They were in a desolate place with no food, and Jesus provides for all of their needs. He then takes what is offered, blesses it and makes it more than enough to feed the people there. And it says in verse 42, “And they all ate and were satisfied.”
Once again, we see the Lord’s heart here in this passage. Not only does God want to meet our needs, but He can also take any situation that seems hopeless, empty, or lost and turn it around, making it plentiful and bountiful. Jesus shows that even in desolate places He can make a way. If we trust Him will always come through for us. All they had was five loaves and two fish and Jesus was able to multiply it to feed five thousand plus people. Whatever we may have or lack, God can bring increase to it if we trust Him. Allow God to come into your life and bless you. Whatever seems difficult to overcome or the odds are stacked against you, He is Greater! The Lord loves you and wants to meet all of your needs. Trust Him.
Prayer:
Father, we thank you for this blessed week. We thank you for all that you have done for us. We pray that you will continue to lead us and guide us throughout this week. We pray Lord that we will learn to trust You in every area of our lives. We will have faith in You and You will meet all of our needs. We thank you for being wonderful and loving God. We give You all of the praise, honor, and glory, in Jesus’ name. Amen