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Jesus Christ sees people as sheep without a shepherd. We see that more and more today. It is much more common than when I was 'ordained' into 'the ministry' in 1968. Many people had a 'church connection' at that time. I know not what it meant - but God knew - and God cared - and God saw the need. We come to Mark Chapter 6 and verse 34.

Jesus sees these people in real need - they need care - guidance - protection - the help which only the loving Shepherd can give. Many people discover where Jesus and the disciples have gone and they make their way there. These men were not going to have much time to rest. Jesus had compassion upon the people - He knew the condition and circumstances of their lives - just He knows ours - sometimes far better than we know ourselves. Jesus speaks to the people and teaches the people many things. Jesus does not move away from that main task to teaching. It is late in the day, and Mark records the 'feeding of the five thousand'. I have written of this in earlier pieces in Luke and in Mark. Jesus organises the people into groups. Five loaves and two fish - that was not very much - but when Jesus took it He began to break it and just kept on breaking it - and feeding and satisfying the people. This is a miracle, and a miracle is God at work. We cannot explain it. 5,000 men had eaten and were satisfied. They then filled twelve empty baskets with what was left over. Jesus does not like waste. Were these the disciples own baskets, which had contained their own personal pack sandwiches, and they had not shared? Did they understand what had happened? Did they realise who had done this - that this was God? Verses 31 to 44 - This is the only miracle that is recorded in all four Gospels. The disciples had just completed their first preaching tour. Jesus knew they needed rest. This crowd is almost an unwelcome interruption, but Jesus did not see people as an interruption - but as sheep without a shepherd. We would need eight months wages to buy the bread that would be needed. They have five loaves and two fish, and the crowd is to sit in an organised fashion. Perhaps 20,000 were present on this occasion. God takes our little and makes it His much. What fresh lessons might we learn from this familiar incident? At times it can appear that God magnifies our need. It is an impossible problem. They were almost pretending the problem was not there. Do we occasionally do that - pretend the problem is not there? Or, do we run away from some of the problems we see? God can reduce our resources. He did that with Gideon, and David had only five stones. Someone trusts God with what little they have, and God takes what that little boy offers. John tells us about that. Jesus takes what is given to Him and uses what we give Him. Jesus does not discard what we give Him but uses it. It is broken and given - is that not similar to what Jesus did during the Passover meal. Jesus works through us to accomplish His will. What were the disciples thinking when Jesus was praying? Is He going to do something with five loaves and two fish? Jesus Christ is concerned that we are taught and fed and satisfied. If you preach and teach The Word of God do all you can to feed and satisfy the people who look to you for love and light and grace and truth. When the work is completed and the people taught, fed and satisfied, Jesus sends the disciples off in a boat across the Galilee Lake, and He goes to pray.

"Bible verse and quote" from Jan Couns

Bible and Quote - February 10-14

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