34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
35 By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late.
36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”
37 But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”
They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages[e]! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”
38 “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”
When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”
39 Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass.
40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties.
41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all.
Walking in Faith: Reflections on Mark 6:34-41
The story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 illustrates both the compassion and mighty power of Christ. As a good shepherd, he desires to tend to the needs of his sheep, both physically and spiritually. Thus, he provides the people with bread and fish to sustain and nourish them physically, while providing them many new and important teachings to sustain and nourish them spiritually. As his sheep today, we must be those who realize this and with a thankful heart, be obedient to the one who always provides and sustains us.
Daily Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
We sincerely thank you for providing for our every need, both physically and spiritually. Help us to truly be your obedient sheep, to heed your voice and trust in you no matter what, knowing that you know best. Help us to not only hear your words, but also carry them out, dutifully listening to our shepherd each and every moment.
We humbly pray this in Jesus’ name,
Amen.
.
