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.

OneSentTwo - 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 that Jesus can relate to the rejection we can feel when we follow Him.

In the story we’re looking at today there’s a new twist. Up to this point Jesus has been doing all of the ministry with the disciples observing. But today we’re going to see Jesus sending His disciples out on their own.

So let’s take a look at it: Read Mark 6:7-13; 30-32

Now, you noticed that we didn’t read a big section here. It’s the story of how John the Baptist was martyred by Herod and I’d suggest you read it when you have a chance. But today we’re going to focus in on Jesus and the disciples.

Try to put yourself in the place of the disciples. Up to this point they had been serving with their ‘training wheels’ on. Jesus was doing everything and these guys were following along and watching and learning. But now Jesus is going make a radical change. He’s going to send them out on their own. Can you imagine the lumps in their throats and the hard swallows and butterflies?

Jesus used ministry to stretch His disciples beyond their level of comfort. Here are 5 of them. There are probably more here and you are welcome to find your own.

Ministry starts with Jesus not us (He called them to Himself) vs. 7 I think We have a tendency to believe that since we’re American that we have a right to pick and choose what ministry we’ll do and when we’ll do it. But that’s not the way it works. Looking at the disciples I can imagine that if Jesus had given them a choice they probably wouldn’t have chosen the assignment Jesus was giving them in this passage. They probably would have preferred to have more time to prepare or would have liked to choose the place they were going, but Jesus doesn’t give them that option. He didn’t have to.

Here’s the deal, while it’s possible that Jesus may give you a ministry assignment you like He will also give you some that will test you and cause you to wonder why. My advice is to get used to the idea of obedience and things will work out for the best.

Ministry throws us together (sent them out together) vs. 7 I have a hunch but I can’t prove it, that Jesus probably pared the disciples up in such a way that they had to serve with someone who they didn’t particularly want to be with. Not that Jesus was being ornery with them, but He knows that if we’re going to grow in our capacity to serve we have to learn how to serve with other people whoever they may be.

It’s also true that ministry together also helps to keep us on track and keeps us accountable. I know for me it helps to have someone along side of me who is counting on me to be there. It gives me incentive and cuts way down on my lame excuses for not doing what Jesus wants me to do.

We may not like each other but we need each other and helps us learn how to love each other.

Ministry makes us dependent on others (He gave them power) vs. 7-10 If there’s one thing that still causes me stress in ministry it’s that I can’t do it on my own. If it weren’t for other people I couldn’t even put our worship gathering together.

The disciples couldn’t do what Jesus was asking them to do without being given the power to do it. Not only that they wouldn’t have had anything to eat, or a place to stay if it weren’t for the generosity of the strangers they would meet along the way.

Can I tell you something? If you can do a ministry on your own then you’re doing you ministry instead of Jesus’ ministry. Look through the NT and see if you can find an example of someone who did ongoing ministry alone. You won’t find one. There may have been short seasons of alone time, but each one was keenly aware of their dependence on others. The apostle Paul even says in

2 Timothy 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.

Yes, dependence on others can be frustrating at times, but the sooner we learn that we’re not Superman the better.

Jesus gathers us to account for our ministry (The apostles gathered to Jesus) vs. 30 Now let’s fast forward to the end of the disciple’s trip. They have done what Jesus told them to do and when they return they had some great stories to tell about healings and deliverance. They told about people entering the kingdom of God when they preached the good news.

There were two things going on here. First they were being accountable to Jesus for their ministry and they were sharing their experiences with each other. Even in this there was a learning process. I can imagine that some of the disciples met more opposition than others. Some of them probably saw more people healed or miraculous provisions while others may have had to sleep in a stable.

But in sharing they came to understand that Jesus was less interested in their results than their obedience and faithfulness.

Always remember that. Jesus doesn’t measure your ministry by the numbers, He’s much more interested with your heart.

Jesus encourages us to rest (come aside ….rest a while) vs. 31 Did you expect to see rest in this list? We’re so culturally brainwashed that we think if someone isn’t going 24/7/365 they’re not up to par. In fact we feel guilty when we’re resting because sick people rest. But Jesus took time to rest after ministry and He encourages the disciples to do the same.

It’s not a sin to rest. It’s a sin to be lazy and slothful (I love that word) but resting is a God thing. In fact God Himself rested after ministry and even set aside a whole day for rest.

Genesis 2:3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.

Why is that so important for us? Because when we go aside for rest it allows God to refresh us and we gain strength and perspective. Remember your physical needs affect your emotional and spiritual health.

Rest also allows us to have some alone time with God where we can commune with Him and listen for His heartbeat.

Let’s step off the treadmill and spend some time with Jesus so that we can increase our effectiveness in ministry.