Mark 6 is a very complex chapter as so many things are going on. This is the chapter where Jesus talks about being a prophet without honor in his hometown, sends out the twelve apostles to preach about repentance and baptism, John the Baptist gets beheaded at the request of Herodias’ daughter, 5,000 are fed from 5 loaves of bread & 2 fish, and concludes with Jesus walking on water. This is a very meaty chapter that delves into many aspects of Jesus and his ministry.
Through all of this, I feel compelled to encourage you through the story of Jesus feeding 5,000 with just 2 loaves of bread and 5 fish. I think this story speaks to where many of us are at right now. Money is tight and many of us have sold some of our things in order to help pay bills. However, there are times when opportunity knocks at our door and when we see what we have to give, we just choose not to give at all. When you’re asked to give $20/month to help feed children in a third world country or your pastor preaches on giving to help expand the church campus by giving $2 million dollars, it’s easy to just say something like, “I’m barely making it as it is and there is no way I can spare $20 this month.” Since we feel we can’t afford what we are being asked to give, we just shut down and give nothing.
In Mark 6:38 Jesus asks how many loaves of bread they have for the assembly. The disciples check with the crowd and return with the bad news. There are only five loaves and two fish. Knowing that this was not enough to feed more than a few people, why even bother announcing it? It’s basically saying there was nothing. However, Jesus sits everyone down and has them prepare for a meal. Then, in verse 41 he does something pretty amazing:
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Mark 6:41: “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 set before the people. He also divided the two fish among all of them.”
Imagine that! Rather than complaining that no one had the forethought to have enough food to feed this crowd, or go back into the crowd to see who might be holding out, Jesus’ first thought is to give thanks.
Instead of worrying and complaining about our sacrifices and troubles, what if we looked to God and gave thanks that we are alive and loved? What if we gave thanks for all that God has provided for us and offered what we could to the Lord so that he could use it to help bless someone else? When you are asked for $20/month to help feed starving children in Africa, and all you have is $5/month, why not offer that? Four people offering $5/month gets some children fed, but 4 people offering nothing because then can’t find a way to give $20/month feeds no one!
As it is written in Luke 16:10a AMP: He who is faithful in a very little [thing] is faithful also in much. Be faithful with the littlest you have and offer it to help others. God will recognize your faithfulness and compassion and honor that gift in abundant ways. Don’t short change yourself! Every little act of kindness matters and can be used by God to point the way to him so that someone far away from him can seek eternal life after experiencing God’s love through your faithfulness. Trust in God and offer it with thanksgiving and a joyful heart and you may be surprised how your gift may be multiplied and used to feed 5,000.
Related posts:
- Hometown hero or prophet without honor?
- Mark 5: Keep it simple
- July has 31 days, so it’s time for some Proverbs!
- Guest Daily Devotion: Deb Burton
- Daily Devotion: Proverbs 17
Tags: daily devotion, mark 6
