One of my favorite things is reading a familiar passage of scripture when God opens my eyes and mind with a fresh point of view and understanding. Let’s take a look at Mark 6:30-44. If you’ve been around church at all, even as a child, this will be a familiar passage to you. It’s the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand. Let me tell you the story adding the insights God provided me. 

Jesus’ disciples had been pouring themselves out; following Jesus, teaching others, healing the sick, etc.. They were excited about all they seeing and doing but they were also tired. How could they not be? Everyone wanted to see Jesus. They were surrounded by crowds everywhere they went. Even you and I know how physically and mentally exhausting it can be never having any alone or down time. So, it is not a surprise that this passage starts off with Jesus saying in verse 31 “Come away by yourselves to and find someplace remote place and rest for a while.” He sees their need for rest. They set off in a boat to spend some time alone and rest. Seems like a great idea and good plan, but it doesn’t take long for the people following them to see what is happening. 

Verse 33 “but many saw them leaving and recognized them…” These few words lead me to think about what causes that level of recognition? Sure Jesus was becoming well known, in some ways it’s easy to see how this happened to the disciples. But what about us today? What would cause the people we are around to see us and recognize us as men and women who follow Jesus and have the desire to figure out where we are going and follow us? It would seem that we need to be different than everyone else. We have to be “set apart” by our words, actions, decisions, etc.. 

Back to our story. The people figure out where Jesus and the disciples are headed and run ahead and are waiting for them when they arrive. Let’s take a minute to remind ourselves that these disciples are human. They had to be disappointed when they pulled the boat in looking forward to some rest and relaxation only to find yet another crowd of people. But not Jesus.  In verse 34 we read that “He saw a large crowd and had compassion on them”. Jesus saw the crowd as a group of people in need. Reading between the lines a little and taking the rest of this story into account, I’m not sure that’s how the disciples saw them. Which brings us to another question to consider – Do we/I see the people around us and their needs? Especially in this context, when we are tired and near empty. I have to be honest and say, I struggle here and sometimes chose to avoid people. That compassion that Jesus felt is not my first or natural instinct. I wish it was, but I’m just not there yet. 

By verse 35 the disciples are telling Jesus “Dude, it’s late. We are tired and hungry, these people are tired and hungry. Why not send them away to the surrounding neighborhoods so they can find some food.” There is a bit of back and forth but Jesus basically says “No, why don’t you take care of their needs.” God pointed out a couple of things in these few verses. First, the disciples don’t say “send them home for the night and invite them to come back tomorrow”, but “send them to the surrounding countryside and villages”. It’s seems like such a minor phrase, but when you really think about it and the situation, are they really saying “but I don’t want to help them Jesus. I’m tired, I’m worn out, all I want to do is go hit a drive thru, go home and lay on the couch.” The disciples are not looking to Jesus, but themselves to meet these needs. How often do we make this same mistake? Think about it, the people are still in need. Verse 34 point blank says “they are like sheep without a shepherd”. They want/need to follow someone. If not Jesus, they will find someone else. When we make the decision to send people away, we have to do so with the understanding they may not come back. There is a chance they will find someone else (not Jesus) to follow in the “surrounding countryside and villages”. 

The other thing these last few verses show us, is that Jesus is more than able to take a little and make a lot. We all know how the story goes from this point. Jesus takes five loaves of two fish and feeds 5,000 plus people. Verses 42-43 tell us “everyone ate and was satisfied”, not to mention all the leftovers! When we give Jesus all we have; even, maybe even especially in those times when we think we have nothing left to give – Jesus expands our resources and energies to provide more than just enough. He provides an abundance! 

One final thought or God-given insight really – A good devotional is one that drives you to God’s word and causes you to read and dig even deeper on your own. My hope and prayer for you is that you will open your Bible, read God’s words and ask Him to open your eyes, ears and mind to an even greater understanding of who He is and what He can do!

Note: Many of the scripture references used here are my personal paraphrase. I’m pretty sure the word Dude does not appear in the Bible. Others are from CSB translation.