Mark 5-6 CSB
Again chapter 6 of Mark is filled with so many amazing
things. In the middle of the chapter is the story of the feeding of the 5000.
We often focus on that story in isolation but it happens in a context. The
chapter starts out with Jesus’ rejection in His hometown. The bible actually
uses the word “amazed” when it says that Jesus was amazed at their unbelief.
Then there is the sending out of the 12 and their success at preaching, driving
out demons and healing people. Then the story of the murder of John the
Baptist, who was the “cousin” of Jesus. Matthew 14:13 tells us that after Jesus
heard about his murder he withdrew to a lonely place to pray. Mark says this
coincided with the return of the apostles from their ministry trip. Think of
this; the context of this story is Jesus dealing with grief, rejection, and
weariness from constant ministry.
Yet, as He tries to get away from the crowds, the crowds
follow; not because they loved Him but because they wanted something from Him
whether it be healing, food or whatever. However, instead of becoming angry,
the bible says “He had compassion on them because they were like sheep without
a shepherd. Then he began to teach them many things.” In Matthew’s account, it
says that “he began to heal their sick.” He never stopped preaching, teaching
and healing. Despite His personal needs and His personal struggles, Jesus
always looked past Himself to see the needs of others. I think this is
extremely instructive for us in this current challenge. We need to take
precautions with this virus and we need to obey the law and be careful.
However, we do not need to get so wrapped up in self-protection that we forget
the needs of those who are suffering around us. Typically, when we focus too
much inward, we neglect what is happening all around us.
Consider His disciples. When confronted with His command to
feed the 5000+ people, they looked at Him incredulously and gave the standard
Baptist excuses for why they couldn’t help: 1) It is a bad place, 2) It is a
bad time, 3) We don’t have enough money (resources). I, unfortunately, hear
these same excuses used time and time again in our churches (which is why I
love to call them Baptist excuses… and why I am convinced those first disciples
were Baptist 😊). How many times have we failed to do what
Jesus told us to do and blamed it on the place?... “these people or this
location is the problem.” How many times have we failed to do what Jesus told
us to do and blamed it on the time?... “well this lockdown is a bad time, or
things aren’t conducive to ministry right now.” Yet, we often weren’t doing it
before things got bad and we probably won’t start once it gets better. How many
times have we failed to do what Jesus told us to do and blamed it on money?...
“we just don’t have the resources right now, maybe when things get better.”
These three excuses have always been there, but the disciples looked at the
creator of the Universe and said “this place is too desolate,” and they looked
at the author of eternity and said, “it is already late,” and they looked at
the owner of everything and said, “we don’t have enough denarii.”
Like most of us these days, the disciples looked at
themselves and their circumstances and saw all the reasons why they couldn’t
minister to others. Instead, they should have been looking at the source of all
things who was standing in their midst and leaned into Him to use them to
minister to others. After everything was said and done, Jesus met the needs of
everyone with the little that they had available and there was even a great
surplus left over. What is God asking you to do in these days, and what are the
excuses you are making for not doing it? Isn’t He bigger than every one of
those excuses?
Blessings in Christ,
Kevin W. Rodgers
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