Mark 6:30-44
30 The apostles *gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught.
31 And He *said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a little while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.)
32 And they went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves.
33 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.
34 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.
35 And when it was already late, His disciples came up to Him and said, “This place is secluded and it is already late;
36 send them away so that they may 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 spend two hundred denarii on bread, and give it to them to eat?”
38 But He *said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go look!” And when they found out, they *said, “Five, and two fish.”
39 And He ordered them all to recline by groups on the green grass.
40 They reclined in groups of hundreds and fifties.
41 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 gave them to the disciples again and again to set before them; and He divided the two fish among them all.
42 And they all ate and were satisfied;
43 and they picked up twelve full baskets of the broken pieces of bread, and of the fish.
44 There were five thousand men who ate the loaves.
The Miracle of Loaves and Fish
The reason why it can’t be done
The miracle of the loaves and fish (the miracle of feeding the 5,000) is the only miracle recorded in all four Gospels. According to the Gospel of John, which records that the Passover was approaching, this miracle happened about a year before Jesus’ crucifixion. (1) This miracle was done out of Jesus’ compassion for the crowds. (2) At the same time, it was also to train the disciples. The disciples, who had achieved significant results in their missionary journey, returned to Jesus filled with joy. In order to give them rest, Jesus withdrew quietly to a secluded place. However, a large crowd followed them and gathered there. As evening approached, the disciples said to Jesus, “send them away so that they may go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But Jesus answered, “You give them something to eat.” The disciples were perplexed. To feed this crowd, they would need at least 200 denarii, which they did not have. It seems they had not yet grasped the training they were receiving from Jesus. They had forgotten that all the fullness dwells within Jesus. How about you?
It is possible for Jesus
Let’s examine Jesus’ approach. (1) Jesus used what was available (five loaves and two fish). Let us also be thankful for what we are given and utilize them for the Lord. (2) Jesus valued order. He had the crowd sit down in groups of about fifty. (3) Jesus performed this miracle through His disciples. Even today, Jesus continues His work of salvation through Christians. (4) Jesus provided abundantly, but nothing went to waste. This miracle was a miracle that proved Jesus is the Messiah. And at the same time, this miracle symbolically portrayed the love of Jesus, manifested through His body being torn and His blood poured out on the cross. May Jesus, who broke the bread in the fields of Galilee, provide for you now.
Today's prayer
Father God of Jesus Christ, please provide for all my needs and allow me to serve You as your hands and feet. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.