Something Blessed
When Little Becomes Enough
SCRIPTURE:
Mark 6:36–37 (CSB) - Send them away so that they can go into the surrounding countryside and villages to buy themselves something to eat.” “You give them something to eat,” he responded. They said to him, “Should we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?”
OBSERVATION:
Jesus had just told the disciples (vs 31), “Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest for a while.” Jesus saw that they were overly busy because they had no time to eat. They had become so busy with “ministry” (not a bad thing) that they neglected to be refreshed (a bad thing). We can become so busy doing "ministry" that we forget to take care of our spiritual (most important) and physical needs. Even Jesus took time to go away to an isolated place and refresh Himself.
During this time, crowds gathered around Jesus. As usual, He taught them, and the disciples listened. But when it was time to feed the crowds, they thought they had nothing to give.
Jesus’ answer, which is really a command, to the question 'Should we not send them out to buy food?' must have been shocking for the disciples... Me? Feed them? I have nothing to offer!
In this account, Jesus offers us three things to remember.
First, bring what you have (vs. 38). Even in our weakness, weariness, and exhaustion, we need to come to Jesus. Bring all that we are, honestly, because He already knows we are weary (just as the disciples were).
Second, listen to His instructions (vs. 39). This is twofold. Listen when He says, “You are too busy, come and rest.” Learn to rest (not always easy). It is okay to go to a remote place and rest; we need it, or Jesus would not have commanded it (yes, it is in the imperative). Also, in times of weariness, when we feel depleted, come to Him with all that we have and listen; instructions will come.
Lastly, let Jesus take what you have, bless it, break it, and distribute it (Vs 41). Jesus took what they had and blessed it. He can and will do the same for us. The question is: do we come to Him in our weariness and ask? Not only did He bless it, but He multiplied it. This happened through breaking the habit of stressing over “what I am going to give, I have nothing.” True, we have nothing to offer, but through His strength, we do. Once we realize (and it should be all the time) that we can do nothing apart from Him, the blessing occurs. (Vs 41) He kept giving - Jesus gave it to the disciples, and they distributed it.
Mark 6:42–43 (CSB) - Everyone ate and was satisfied. They picked up twelve baskets full of pieces of bread and fish.
APPLICATION:
Find the balance of rest in ministry. Take time to rest and rest well. During unavoidable busyness (as with Jesus and the disciples, who intended to rest when it occurred), look to Jesus for guidance and follow Him. Allow Him to take what we are and use it amid our weakness, weariness, and struggles. In doing so, you'll find that others are filled, and you'll also see the results of all that is left over.
PRAYER:
Lord, I pray that the habit of leading on empty would be broken in my life. Teach me to rest well. During times of rest, please help me listen. In moments of unavoidable busyness, help me come to You with all I have. I have nothing to offer, but whatever little I have, You can multiply.
Mark 6:36–37 (CSB) - Send them away so that they can go into the surrounding countryside and villages to buy themselves something to eat.” “You give them something to eat,” he responded. They said to him, “Should we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?”
OBSERVATION:
Jesus had just told the disciples (vs 31), “Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest for a while.” Jesus saw that they were overly busy because they had no time to eat. They had become so busy with “ministry” (not a bad thing) that they neglected to be refreshed (a bad thing). We can become so busy doing "ministry" that we forget to take care of our spiritual (most important) and physical needs. Even Jesus took time to go away to an isolated place and refresh Himself.
During this time, crowds gathered around Jesus. As usual, He taught them, and the disciples listened. But when it was time to feed the crowds, they thought they had nothing to give.
Jesus’ answer, which is really a command, to the question 'Should we not send them out to buy food?' must have been shocking for the disciples... Me? Feed them? I have nothing to offer!
In this account, Jesus offers us three things to remember.
First, bring what you have (vs. 38). Even in our weakness, weariness, and exhaustion, we need to come to Jesus. Bring all that we are, honestly, because He already knows we are weary (just as the disciples were).
Second, listen to His instructions (vs. 39). This is twofold. Listen when He says, “You are too busy, come and rest.” Learn to rest (not always easy). It is okay to go to a remote place and rest; we need it, or Jesus would not have commanded it (yes, it is in the imperative). Also, in times of weariness, when we feel depleted, come to Him with all that we have and listen; instructions will come.
Lastly, let Jesus take what you have, bless it, break it, and distribute it (Vs 41). Jesus took what they had and blessed it. He can and will do the same for us. The question is: do we come to Him in our weariness and ask? Not only did He bless it, but He multiplied it. This happened through breaking the habit of stressing over “what I am going to give, I have nothing.” True, we have nothing to offer, but through His strength, we do. Once we realize (and it should be all the time) that we can do nothing apart from Him, the blessing occurs. (Vs 41) He kept giving - Jesus gave it to the disciples, and they distributed it.
Mark 6:42–43 (CSB) - Everyone ate and was satisfied. They picked up twelve baskets full of pieces of bread and fish.
APPLICATION:
Find the balance of rest in ministry. Take time to rest and rest well. During unavoidable busyness (as with Jesus and the disciples, who intended to rest when it occurred), look to Jesus for guidance and follow Him. Allow Him to take what we are and use it amid our weakness, weariness, and struggles. In doing so, you'll find that others are filled, and you'll also see the results of all that is left over.
PRAYER:
Lord, I pray that the habit of leading on empty would be broken in my life. Teach me to rest well. During times of rest, please help me listen. In moments of unavoidable busyness, help me come to You with all I have. I have nothing to offer, but whatever little I have, You can multiply.
Bring what you have to Jesus—He blesses, breaks, and multiplies it to meet every need.
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