Mark's Gospel is Wild
A roller coaster of activity and happenings.
Mark 6:30-56
The ride we get in Mark’s gospel is really wild. As you read today’s passage, note that it seems like it is all in a short amount of time. Also, remember that this passage follows the story of the death of John the Baptist.
So Jesus hears about the death of his cousin, the one who baptized him. And he says, “Let’s get away.” They try to, but then in a short amount of time, we get a story of the loaves and fish (Is it possible the disciples and Jesus are both hangry?), Jesus walking on water (terrified, screaming disciples), and a whole bunch of healings.
But don’t miss in the midst of it all that Jesus did get away to pray.
Mark 6:30-56
The apostles returned to Jesus and told him everything they had done and taught. Many people were coming and going, so there was no time to eat. He said to the apostles, “Come by yourselves to a secluded place and rest for a while.” They departed in a boat by themselves for a deserted place.
Many people saw them leaving and recognized them, so they ran ahead from all the cities and arrived before them. When Jesus arrived and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Then he began to teach them many things.
Late in the day, his disciples came to him and said, “This is an isolated place, and it’s already late in the day. Send them away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy something to eat for themselves.”
He replied, “You give them something to eat.”
But they said to him, “Should we go off and buy bread worth almost eight months’ pay and give it to them to eat?”
He said to them, “How much bread do you have? Take a look.”
After checking, they said, “Five loaves of bread and two fish.”
He directed the disciples to seat all the people in groups as though they were having a banquet on the green grass. They sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. He took the five loaves and the two fish, looked up to heaven, blessed them, broke the loaves into pieces, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. Everyone ate until they were full. They filled twelve baskets with the leftover pieces of bread and fish. About five thousand had eaten.
Right then, Jesus made his disciples get into a boat and go ahead to the other side of the lake, toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After saying good-bye to them, Jesus went up onto a mountain to pray. Evening came and the boat was in the middle of the lake, but he was alone on the land. He saw his disciples struggling. They were trying to row forward, but the wind was blowing against them. Very early in the morning, he came to them, walking on the lake. He intended to pass by them. When they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost and they screamed. Seeing him was terrifying to all of them. Just then he spoke to them, “Be encouraged! It’s me. Don’t be afraid.” He got into the boat, and the wind settled down. His disciples were so baffled they were beside themselves. That’s because they hadn’t understood about the loaves. Their minds had been closed so that they resisted God’s ways.
When Jesus and his disciples had crossed the lake, they landed at Gennesaret, anchored the boat, and came ashore. People immediately recognized Jesus and ran around that whole region bringing sick people on their mats to wherever they heard he was. Wherever he went—villages, cities, or farming communities—they would place the sick in the marketplaces and beg him to allow them to touch even the hem of his clothing. Everyone who touched him was healed.
Prayer
God,
As I wake up today, I pause to acknowledge your presence in our lives. Just as Jesus sought solitude amidst busyness, teach me to find and know moments of peace and pause in a bustling day.
Give me the wisdom to recognize your hand guiding through the chaos, just as Jesus fed the multitude with a few loaves and fish. Help me to see abundance in scarcity and to trust in your provision even when our resources seem inadequate.
In the hustle of daily routine, help me to keep eyes fixed on you, our source of hope and sustenance. May your grace lead through the challenges and triumphs of this day.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.