Mark 6:30-44

The apostles experience the stress of a successful ministry.

Last week we learned that Jesus had sent his disciples out to minister to people.

They were to point people to Jesus.

They were to oppose the work of Satan.

They were to help meet the needs of the people they encountered.

By verse 30, they have returned to Jesus to give a report.

I imagine that there was quite a bit of excitement.

They told Jesus all that they had done.

They told Him all they had taught.

When you’re obeying Jesus, you don’t have a problem telling Him all that you’ve done.

In the middle of verse 31 we see the tremendous results of the disciples ministry.

How great must it have been for the disciples.

People they had met in their journeys were now coming out to meet Jesus.

The numbers began to swell.

People of that time were desperate.

No one seemed to have the answers to life’s questions.

That is, until Jesus came along.

Eventually, the disciples began to get overwhelmed by the response.

So many people were coming to Jesus.

They didn't even have time to eat.

Jesus invites them to come away for a time of rest.

Rest is essential in this life.

Your body and spirit cannot operate successfully without times of rest.

Jesus and His disciples had to depart privately to avoid the crowds.

They were unsuccessful in their attempt to take some time away.

In verse 33 the people saw them departing by ship.

The only people who had ever offered them hope were now leaving.

Folks began to panic.

As the disciple sailed, the people ran to meet them on the other side.

Try to get a picture in your head of what is happening in verse 33.

This hoard of people is running along the shore of this lake.

They are passing cities and villages along the way.

As the people in those villages observe what is happening, they join in.

So the sea of people is growing as it moves to the other side.

Upon reaching the opposite shore, Jesus sees the people waiting for Him.

They had departed to find time to rest.

When Jesus saw the people, He was moved with compassion for them.

They were as sheep with no shepherd.

No one loved them, no one cared for them.

The Pharisees didn’t.

Herod didn’t.

The Romans certainly didn’t.

How could Jesus rest when so many people were looking to Him for help.

So, He began to teach them again.

I wonder what the reaction was from the disciples?

At the end of the day, the disciples finally say something to Jesus.

Now, we know that the disciples have been too busy to eat.

However, they express concern over the fact that the people have not eaten.

Genuine concern for the people?

Veiled attempt to get to eat themselves?

IDK, the Bible doesn't say.

What it does say is that they recommend, in verse 36, that Jesus send the people away.

How odd is it that the same people who had invited folks to come to Jesus were now asking Him to send them away?

I know what it says, they were concerned about the people not eating.

I can’t help but think that if I were in their shoes, I would say anything to get some time to rest.

I think this makes Jesus’ response that much more interesting.

The disciples think they’ve come up with a way to get some time alone.

They point out that the people are hungry.

Which they, no doubt, were.

They have no food, so they must be sent away.

To this Jesus tells them, why don’t you feed them?

The disciples have no means in and of themselves to feed these people.

One of them makes a pretty sarcastic statement at the end of v. 37.

Two hundred penny worth is not two dollars worth.

It would be the equivalent of 200 day’s wages (8 months).

(7.25 x 8) x 200 = $11,600

Jesus does not lose patience with His students.

He asks how much food they have.

They find out that they have 5 loaves and 2 fish.

Which is funny because in v. 37 they said they had NOTHING to eat.

Jesus orders the disciples to get the people ready to eat.

The people sit in groups of 50’s and 100’s in the green grass.

If He had to tell them all to sit down, does that mean they were all standing up until this point?

Jesus takes the little bit of bread and fish that He was given and blesses it.

He then breaks the bread and hands it to His disciples to distribute.

Remember they are tired and ready for a break.

They’ve been traveling and ministering non-stop for awhile.

Now Jesus expects them to feed 15,000 - 20,000 people?

What was their reaction as they watched the bread being multiplied.

Look at the end of verse 41 too.

Jesus takes the fish and serves the fish Himself.

He did not expect His weary disciples to do something that He was unwilling to do.

You know the rest of the story.

Everyone got full off the meal.

They had twelve baskets of food left over.

Over 5,000 men were present.

But, what’s the point?

Jesus had to teach His disciples that, although ministry requires sacrifice, the rewards are always greater than the sacrifice.

The disciples were weary and ready for a break from the people.

They wanted some time to themselves.

Jesus needed them to continue ministering.

They obeyed, and witnessed one of the greatest miracles Jesus ever performed.

Do you ever get tired of ministering to others?

At home you have to minister to your family.

At school you have to minister to your classmates.

At church you have to minister.

It can begin to seem that you are always ministering and never being ministered to.

If you take seriously our lesson last week about being a friend to those around you, your life will change.

People will be drawn to you.

They will come to you with their problems.

They will look to you as the example.

They will want to be around you.

It may get wearisome.

You may want them to leave you alone.

When you’re tired of giving and you’re tempted to push people away, remember…

It wasn’t until the disciples reached the end of their energy that Jesus performed the miracle.

When you and I feel like quitting, we must continue if we are going to see God work.