Crumbs 103

 

Crumbs 103

Feeding the Hungary

Scripture Mark 6:30-44 N ew International Version 30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. 33 But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.35 By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. 36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”37 But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”38 “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”39 Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate and were satisfied, 43 and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. 44 The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.

Crumbs This miracle seems so orderly. The Spirit is not restrained by good organisation. The end of human calculation signals the beginning of divine intervention.

It is not the people’s hunger that evokes Jesus’ compassion but their lack of leadership He solves both challenges by using what is available. For leadership He does not call a legion of angels but twelve young men, for provision, not a feast of heavenly food but five rolls and a couple of fish.

This miracle is not a miracle of healing but a miracle of supply. The providing God is a great theme through Scripture, from Eden to Revelation. Another miracle of supply is the wine at the wedding at Cana. In both cases, the supply far exceeds the need. This miracle shows us an aspect of the heart of God. The dimensions of grace go way beyond human need. Ours is not a frugal God. Ours is a generous God.

In these miracles of supply the items supplied, were bread in the miracle above and wine at Cana. Bread and wine are the great items of our salvation, the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. And it is our generous God who is the provider.

Questions

1. What guide lines are there here for church organisation ?

2. How does Jesus’ use of what is available act as an example to Christian leaders today?.

3. What do we learn about how Jesus works form this miracle?

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