Jesus trains the disciples

Mark 6:30–52 NASB95

The apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves. The people saw them going, and many recognized them and ran there together on foot from all the cities, and got there ahead of them. When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things. When it was already quite late, His disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and it is already quite late; send them away so that they may go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But He answered them, “You give them something to eat!” And they said to Him, “Shall we go and spend two hundred denarii on bread and give them something to eat?” And He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go look!” And when they found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” And He commanded them all to sit down by groups on the green grass. They sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food and broke the loaves and He kept giving them to the disciples to set before them; and He divided up the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up twelve full baskets of the broken pieces, and also of the fish. There were five thousand men who ate the loaves. Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida, while He Himself was sending the crowd away. After bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray. When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them. But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and said to them, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.” Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished, for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened.

I. Introduction

a. Last week we learned the price of being a disciple of Jesus Christ.

b. we saw that many people rejected even the message of Jesus Christ, who could back up His teachings with miracles.

c. We saw that we need to rely upon Jesus for our necessities and strength.

d. sometimes the dedication and the price of following Jesus may call upon that one who gives their own life for Him.

e. Mark 6:7-8 , “And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits; and He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belt—”

II. Time for rest

a. Disciples have just returned from a ministry trip

b. Jesus brings them to a secluded place to rest

c. To spend time with Him.

d. We get busy, but we need to have that quiet, secluded time with Jesus. Need not do it out of compulsion but as a love to spend time with Him because He is the One that provides our strength and direction.

III. Jesus’ way of looking at things

a. Compassion, looked at others as lost sheep without a shepherd.

b. Looked to and provided for others needs both in healing, deliverance and then in sustenance (food).

c. Jesus was always looking to how to help others and provide for them.

IV. Disciples’ way of looking at things

a. Themselves, selfishness

b. How daunting a the task was

c. Looking at things in their ability to provide rather than Jesus.

V. Summary

a. Why the 12 baskets of leftovers

b. Even though Jesus had feed the 5000 and walked on water, the disciples were still hardened. for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened. They still didn’t get it.