You Give Them Something - Mark's Portraits of a Radical Messiah

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We’re continuing our series Wild Heart: Mark’s Portrait of a Radical Messiah this morning.

Last time we looked at a story that showed us Jesus will stretched the disciples, and us, out of their comfort zones with ministry assignments that challenged them.

Today we’re going to look at another challenging situation that stretched the disciples. It’s the only one of Jesus’ miracles that is mentioned in all 4 gospels, the feeding of the 5,000.

So let’s take a look at it: Read Mark 6:30-44

How many of you could have told me that story from memory? It’s so familiar to us that, like so many of Jesus’ other miracles, I think we lose some of our appreciation for just how radical this was. There’s something about this story that’s so unique, or important that Holy Spirit made sure it was included in each gospel.

Part of me looks at this miracle and wonders why it’s given special treatment, while some seemingly more ‘fantastic’ miracles didn’t. Do you ever wonder why? I sure do.

Here are some thoughts.

Jesus was giving them a glimpse of the coming kingdom of God. (Mark 6:42 So they all ate and were filled.) Psalm 132:15 says this about the coming messiah “I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread.”

In God’s kingdom the needs of His people would be met in Him. While that’s true today, we also feel the effects of sin and there people who are oppressed and hungry. Jesus is painting a powerful picture that in the day that is coming suffering and hunger will be ended by His divine provision.

Jesus was inviting the disciples to participate in His work. (Mark 6:37 "You give them something to eat.") I’m sure Jesus knew what He was going to do, so when He said this to His disciples it was an invitation that came wrapped as a test. Remember the disciples had just returned from their first ministry mission and were full of faith and victory, but now they were faced with a major problem. It’s one thing to be faced with a few sick people, but to face a tired, hungry multitude who needed some food that was another story all together.
It’s clear from their response that the disciples didn’t get it. But notice that Jesus doesn’t kick them to the curb because they weren’t up to speed or asked the wrong question. Instead Jesus asks them another question that invites them to participate on a level that requires less of a leap of faith. Checking around with the crowd to see if anyone had any food with them was probably a little uncomfortable, but it was something they could do.

Jesus wants us to participate with Him in serving others and He will seek ways to help us do it.

Jesus was teaching the disciples to obey in faith not by sight. (Mark 6:39 Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass.)

Now this seems simple enough, but when it’s supper time and someone asks you to sit down that usually means food is on its way. Can you imagine how the disciples felt when they had to answer questions about this?

If the disciples had responded based on what they saw they wouldn’t have had the people sit down, they would have sent them away. 5 loaves and 2 small fish wouldn’t feed these people. But while they didn’t know what Jesus was going to do they did know that if God could provide manna from heaven then He could provide for His people now.

Jesus doesn’t always tell us just how things will work out. Your situation might look hopeless because what you see isn’t enough to meet what you need, but the same God who provided for His people in the past is the same God who fed the 5,000 and meets our needs today. Don’t respond based on what you see, respond in faith to the One who is faithful.

Jesus was showing the disciples that there is provision in brokenness. (Mark 6:43 And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish.) This one is a bit more ‘spiritualized’ and symbolic, but points to a bigger truth. Jesus’ broken body provides for our salvation and when we offer our lives to Jesus to be broken we become useful in His hands to serve those who hunger an thirst for God’s kingdom.

Jesus was revealing that He is the Messiah. (Mark 6:34 ..they were like sheep not having a shepherd. - Mark 6:39 …sit down in groups on the green grass.)

I couldn’t help but notice the parallel between this verses and the 23rd Psalm. Let me read it to you…….

I don’t believe that this is a coincidence. Almost every part of this Psalm is demonstrated in this story.

1. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. This one is very obvious.

2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.

3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Jesus fed them and taught them.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Jesus brought comfort to them in their need.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Jesus was being watched closely and this miracle would make Him in an even bigger threat to the powers that were in authority at that time.

Jesus fulfilled this description of the Messiah.

No wonder this passage was included in all 4 gospels. It clearly points to Jesus as the Messiah. The savior of the world and it also invites us to enter His kingdom and find our place in His service.