Sermon Title: Beyond Expectations
Scripture: Mark 6:30-44 (NIV)

Contributed by Nancy Buschart

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. Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat. But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” —Mark 6:35-37

The disciples have seen a lot as they walked with Jesus around the Sea of Galilee. Jesus has outraged the Pharisees when he added Levi the tax collector to his band of twelve (Mk 2:14) and healed a man with a shriveled hand on the Sabbath (Mk 3:5). He’s calmed a raging storm on the Sea (Mk 4:39). He healed a man harassed by demons (Mk 5:8). And these are only the stories that we have addressed in this sermon series thus far. In Mark 6, Jesus feeds five thousand men plus their families on a deserted Galilean hillside. Slowly, methodically, Jesus is answering the question asked by the disciples on the Sea: “Who is this?” (Mk 4:41). Who is this man who associates with sinners, who heals diseases (Mk 5:34) and deformities, who raises a little girl from the dead (Mk 5:41), who brings freedom and wholeness to the demon-possessed? Who can take five loaves of bread and two small, dried fish and feed a multitude? Jesus can! But, still, the answer to the question puzzles and confounds the disciples and the people around him: “Who is this man?”

Earlier in Mark 6, Jesus “began to send [the disciples] out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits” (Mk 6:7). Jesus gave them some specific instructions (vv. 8-11) and “they went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them” (vv. 12-13). The disciples have just returned from their first missionary journey and they have astounding stories of their own to tell Jesus (v. 30). Jesus suggests that they slip away from the crowds with him for rest. But the people of Galilee are hungry for more of Jesus’ teaching and they “ran on foot from all the towns” (v. 33) to be with him. When Jesus “saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began to teach them many things” (v. 34). Jesus teaches. The people listen and learn. The disciples watch the setting sun and name an impending problem. “Jesus,” they say, “it’s late.” “This is a remote place… Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat” (v. 36). But Jesus confounds them. “He answered, ‘You give them something to eat’” (v. 37).

The disciples are learning a lot. Today’s story of the loaves and fish is a faith-building encounter, especially for the disciples. They respond to Jesus with an obvious question. “We don’t have food for so many,” they say. Do you really want us to spend a “half year’s wages” (v. 37) to feed these people?

Five loaves of bread and two dried fish become dinner for thousands of hungry people and the disciples’ watch, participate, and try to take it all in. They watch Jesus give thanks to the Father in heaven for the bounty they are about to receive. The disciples themselves carry the super-abundant provision of bread and fish to the people. They watch the little become a great feast. Then they gather twelve baskets full of leftovers. Astounding! Life-changing, not least for the disciples!

Later that same night, Jesus will come to them walking on the waters of the Sea of Galilee. “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid,” he said (v. 50). “Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened” (v. 51).

Jesus is patient with his followers. Before their eyes, he is answering their question: “Who is this man?” Day by day, miracle by miracle, they will grow to understand who he is. But it will be the resurrected Jesus who will finally open the eyes of their hearts. Until then, this front row seat is changing them one day at a time.

Consider –

╬ Jesus sent the disciples out to tell the people about God’s good news. They weren’t “ready” for such a task, and yet God used them to bring about his purposes in people’s lives and in their own lives. When has the Lord used you to do his Kingdom-come work before you thought you were ready? Remember and tell stories of how God used you and of how your own faith grew.

╬ Jesus is answering the disciples’ question: “Who is this man?” We have the benefit of the rest of the story. But we also must walk through the process of having the eyes of our hearts opened to the truth of Jesus, Son of God and Son of Man. Where are you today in your understanding? Ask God the Spirit reveal Jesus to you?

╬ Father, Son and Spirit, like the people of Galilee and the disciples of Jesus, we want to see Jesus. Enliven our hearts to know you, to follow you, and to be changed by your glory. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.