Most stories have a point.
The point of the stories that report the miracles of Jesus have, for some, been a challenge.
People often like the idea of Jesus, but some people don’t like these miracles. They find them troublesome. Those folks suggest that we, as humans, now understand so much of how things really work, that it is not possible to believe any of these actually happened. They contort themselves into all sorts of dizzying logic, rather than accept the plainly written word.
One of those contortions, regards the feeding of the 5,000, is that the people all had food. When they sat down, because they were so influenced by “human Jesus”, they then shared all their food.
As I said, most stories have a point. In Mark’s Gospel, the point is Jesus.
First, consider what this story reveals about Jesus. It reveals that he is God. Out of nothing, he created more than enough food for 5,000 men (plus the women and children). Jesus demonstrates his power as God. He creates.
Second, consider what this story reveals about Jesus’ attitude towards the disciples. He cares about them. He wants them to get away and rest. I expect they are on an emotional high, perhaps wanting to go and do more ministry in His Name. He knows they need rest.
After their rest, I expect he will continue the disciple’s formation. Then it happens; the crowds. He sees the crowd. If he chose to ignore them, we would understand. Instead he has compassion. “Sheep without a shepherd” he calls them.
It is compassion which is the third point. Amid his tired disciples, when he wants them to get rest, his compassion overtakes the moment. Note how he instructs them to care for the people. He wants them to understand ministry must flow from compassion.
Jesus actions flow from his compassion for us.
We learn that Jesus, God come to earth, is moved to action not to show off, or prove he is God. No, Jesus is moved to action by his deep love of humankind.
He knows that we too can only properly serve in His Name when it flows from our compassion for those we serve.
Who is God calling you to serve? Or, who does God have you serving? Or, who is God touching your heart over?