MARK 6:31-56 GIVE YE THEM Again, in this journey through Mark and seeing the training of the disciples, I am made to learn that what is an impossibility to men is an opportunity to God. Even in the desert place where the Lord has taken these travel-weary men to rest, the Lord Himself was busy teaching the people who were like sheep without a shepherd. Without a shepherd sheep cannot find good pasture. Without a shepherd they would have no one to provide safety for them. The resting apostles would have seen from where they were resting, a large crowd of people wanting to see what He was going to do. The needs of people are great. Some needs are spiritual, some are emotional and some are physical. The Lord was able to meet all of these needs and the watching apostles would learning lessons that they would need to apply in years to come. There are, and always will be, needs wherever we go. Some people may respond to what the Lord says and does, and others may be just seeking to get their curiosity satisfied. No matter what the need is, the Lord is able to meet that need. Those who believe will be eternally blessed. Others may only have temporal blessings.
To feed 5000 men beside the women and children calls for a lot of food. To more than satisfy the hunger of everyone of them calls for more. This was an opportunity for the Lord not only to show to men His creatorial power that they might by faith believe on Him. But it was also a teaching time for those twelve men who were called upon to participate with their Master in doing this wonderful work. The Lord is concerned with every aspect of the lives of people, and He intends those of us who serve Him to do the same. To minister to spiritual needs often involves meeting physical needs.
Linked with the great miracle of feeding the 5000 was the incident that happened later that same night. The disciples saw and participated in the distribution of the food to the hungry people, but only had seen the work of the Lord Jesus through the same eyes as the multitudes who were fed.
He was alone on the land praying. They were together on the lake "tormented in rowing" against a contrary wind. They had obeyed His command to go to the other side but had to learn personally and practically how impossible it is to do God's will without God's presence and power. When Jesus walked on water and was passing them by, they still did not recognize who He really was even though they could see Him and hear His words, and He identified Himself to them. These disciples had to truly believe He was the Son of God before they could be used by God to do the work of God. The passing of time doesn't change that requirement. It is still the same today. When we recall the evidence that we have as to who the Lord Jesus Christ is, then we have confidence that what we can never do, He can. He can use us if He chooses, to assist in His work the same way He used those twelve disciples. He can act entirely outside human participation like He did when He walked on the water on the lake. Whatever way things are done is up to His sovereign will. We are blessed when He allows us to represent Him in any way and be used by Him to carry out some aspect of His work. We need to be conscious of the fact that it is the Son of God who is our Lord. It was His sovereign will that chose us to follow Him. he came to seek and to save the lost and He has given us the commission to tell His Gospel to the world. It is His power that enables us to do this and it is His power that brings the results He desires.
We may want to rest and then God opens the way For us to go someplace nice for a holiday. But even there we may find people with problems to face, And it is only right that we speak to them of God's saving grace.
Hunger of spirit and soul is real - And it may be that if they are filled the body will heal Faster and better then just by taking some pill - For the fullness of God's grace is sufficient still.
Actually, when we take time to taste that the Lord is good, We will find out that what we really never understood Is that God allows difficulties whether hunger or pain, To come upon us that He might give us a greater gain.
When we learn of Him by taking His yoke upon us - Then we find when we are under pressure, we can safely trust Him to bring out of what seems a need or a danger - A lasting result that brings both God and us, pleasure.
Whether it is the common things of life or things most dramatic, I can honestly say to those in need by words emphatic, That from God's heart of love, He has to give to them Blessings that far exceed those blessings from men.
He knows what the need is, so He knows what to give. Those who know Him have learned to believe - That He will abundantly supply what is best - And in the sufficiency of what He supplies, we in comfort rest.
"Father and God of all grace, the provisions Thou hast given us are certainly way more than we deserve. The way Thou dost calm our fears and answer our prayers never ceases to amaze and bless me. I praise and thank Thee from my soul for such blessings, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."