Mark - He is Our Provider

The Gospel of Mark

The Gospel of Mark, generally held to be the first gospel recorded, and is the shortest Gospel in our bible.

John Mark, the writer of the gospel and cousin to Barnabas and missionary companion to Paul.

The Gospel of Mark was likely written to persuade Gentile readers in Rome that Jesus’ death on the cross did not invalidate his claims to messiahship or his proclamation of the kingdom of God, but rather that his resurrection, miracles, and prediction of his death justified his claims.

The Provider

Announcements:

Youth will serve pizza next Wednesday 8/30

Intro:

We have reached the half way point in our Gospel of Mark series!

What miracles have we studied so far?

Leprosy, demons, calms the sea, heals bleeding woman, restore girl to life.

What miracle are we going to study tonight?

Sermon

Mark 6:34–44 ESV

34 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. 35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. 36 Send them away to 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 buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.

Tired & Hungry

Who has ever been so tired and so hungry that they physically felt sick?

Reading this passage I began to picture the people in the crowd:

- Hungry, tired, thirsty, probably hot and sweaty, the children complaining and crying.

It reminded me of a familiar time and that is every time I have ever been to Disney World.

- It is hot, you are hungry, you are tired, there are so many people, the kids are complaining and crying, and the dad is wearing that shirt that says “most expensive day ever”

I love Disney and love Disney World!

but me and Megan would laugh so hard at all the furious parents trying to control their out of control kids, and everyone is hangry.

But you get to the point that you are willing to pay their crazy prices for food.

Mark 6:35 ESV

35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late.

I believe this is just the situation these people found themselves in. They were to the point of paying $20 for a hot dog.

Mark 6:36 ESV

36 Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

One of the disciples even says to send the people into town so they can buy a $20 hot dog.

Jesus vs Disney World

There is a big difference between Jesus and Disney World.

Jesus is our Provider!!

Jesus is our Shepherd!!

Mark 6:37–40 ESV

37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties.

I love how Jesus was not interested in gathering money.

He was not interested in merely buying some food.

Jesus wanted to know what do these people have, and what are they willing to offer.

Mark 6:41–44 ESV

41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.

Closing

In times of need what are we willing to offer Jesus?

It can be difficult to offer anything when we are in need.

Our culture teaches us to be selfish and self centered, and in the time of Jesus it was normal for people to offer money in forgiveness of their sins or for a blessing.

But in this passage Jesus is being radically different as he asking them for what they have.

To Jesus, it doesn’t matter what you are offering. He just wants you. He wants to take what you have and work a miracle in your life.

Offer yourself at the feet of Jesus.