Satisfied

Opening Prayer (Intercession and Petition)

The Bible Exposition Commentary (Chapter Five: Will Anyone Trust God’s Servant? (Mark 6:1–56)) When D.L. Moody was building his great Sunday School in Chicago, children came to him from everywhere. They often passed by other churches and Sunday Schools to be with Mr. Moody. When asked why he walked so far to attend Moody’s Sunday School, one boy replied, “Because they love a fella over there!” The children could tell the difference.

Read Mark 6:33-44

Key Question: Do I trust God’s presence and provision for everyday life?

The Sheep rush to the good Shepherd who comes to him. (v. 33-34)

The Lord and the Disciples go away in the boat, yet, as they came to shore the crowd had already gathered at the shore to receive them and to have their needs met.

Here we see the picture that resonates from the Old Testament, Jesus recognizes the people as “Sheep” without a “Shepherd.” This resonates the words of Psalm 23.

Jesus keeps the main thing, the main thing! The need of the people is not the physical, first; It is the spiritual need that comes first.

We recall the commandment of the Lord to His Apostles, as given in Mark 6:12—Call men to repent.

Jesus calls the Disciples to depend fully on God. (v. 35-40)

The day grew long and the evening was coming, the distance between the place and any village or town was too great for the people to go be refreshed.

Showing the issue of the human heart the Disciples ask that the crowd be dismissed to get food, but Jesus calls on the Disciples to feed them. After all, remember what they had just done by trusting Jesus’ command.

Jesus also calls on the Disciples to see what is available, not what is lacking, as He sends them to find whatever resources are available.

Numbers 11:22-23—God reminds Moses of His power and the ability of the Good King to care for His people.

In an act of faith in the Father’s provision, the crowd is commanded to sit in groups which are reminiscent of the Hebrews in the Wilderness during the Exodus.

Exodus 18:10—As the people are placed under groups for managing the congregation under the leadership of Moses.

God supplies those who trust Him. (v. 41-44)

Jesus shows us the way in which he submits to the Father, exemplifying the way we must surrender and submit to the Father’s grace.

The familiar prayer of the people of the time recognizes the power of God: “Praise be to you, O Lord our God, King of the world, who makes bread to come forth from the earth, and who provides for all that you have created.”

Here the shortest verse carries the heaviest weight of the text. This verse carries with it the resolve of God’s provision for His people.

Here, God not only provides the people what is needed but what is abundant and overflowing.

John 1:15-16—John the Baptist declares that in Jesus Christ we have the fullness of God, and in whom we have experienced grace upon grace from God Almighty.

The people are led to collect the leftovers so as to not waste what God has provided, as well as to show the value of God’s provision beyond the current pressing needs.

Numbers 27:15-17—Moses points to the future deliverance as Joshua is commissioned as the new leader for the people entering the Promised Land.

The account by Peter then accounts for the total of men who ate, but the number is magnified by the consideration of the women and children who must have been present in the crowd, as well. This was a sea of people whom God fed by his omnipotent provision and generosity.

Revelation 21:23-27—God himself gives himself to his people in full, leading to the ultimate satisfaction of all—Eternity in the love, mercy, and grace of the Savior.

Key Question: Do I trust God’s presence and provision for everyday life?

So What?

As the world and enemy cloud your vision of the future, remember that God is more than able to provide what is needed for every moment of life.

As a disciples, we encourage one another to trust that God will lead us to places where our own power and energy is not enough, BUT GOD is alway more than enough.

Let us remind ourselves of this great truth

James 4:10 LSB

10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

Let us be fully satisfied in Christ Alone.

Closing Prayer (Thanksgiving and Adoration)