The Pilgrim Path---Mark 6: 35—44

And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.

GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO EAT

---The Savior Has the people in a desolate place: he wanted to see what the Disciples would do?

---The Disciples have the One who could “do” the impossible with them: would they seek Him with what was available?

---The Disciples had already decided that 200 days wages were not going to “cut it” with this Big a Crowd…

---The Disciples had not yet ascertained what food was actually “in” the crowd: The Lord Jesus wanted to know. Jesus said, “Go see.”

---The Disciples do not genuinely strike us as being all that impressed with five loaves and two fish…

---The Disciples were stupendously unaware of what God-in-the-flesh can do with a little bit of stuff (the worlds were made from nothing).

---The Disciples took up twelve (get it?) baskets full of leftovers…

---The Disciples had Jesus “waiting” on them: don’t you imagine, He often waits on Us?

“And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.”

From J. C. Ryle: We live in the midst of an evil world, and see few with us, and many against us. We carry within us a weak heart, too ready at any moment to turn aside from the right way. We have near us, at every moment, a busy devil, watching continually for our halting, and seeking to lead us into temptation. What shall keep faith alive, and preserve us from sinking in despair? There is only one answer. We must look to Jesus. We must think on His almighty power, and His wonders of old time. We must call to mind how He can create food for His people out of nothing, and supply the wants of those who follow Him, even in the wilderness. And as we think these thoughts, we must remember that this Jesus still lives, never changes, and is on our side.

Spurgeon draws our Attention to Jesus’ Guests:

---Their great number: 5,000 men / An Imperial Scale---No problem for Jesus

---Their strange character: Non-descript / from every class / they got the Word of God first –Meal second. Jesus did not wait until they deserved it---He blessed them.

---The guests had this in common: All hungry---Jesus invites and provides what they need

---The Savior employs people--- to minister to the people: What a blessed occupation for those whom He thus employs!

---The Savior’s power cannot be exhausted---no matter what the demands upon it may be!

“When he was in the grave, he came out and brought the keys with him: he is Lord-jailor: nay, what say I? He is Captain of the castle, and hath the keys of death and hell: and what are our troubles but little deaths? And he, who commandeth the great castle, commandeth the little also.” Samuel Rutherford

Grace and Peace in Jesus Christ Our Risen LORD, Pastor Jason