“And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. 32 So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves. 33 But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. 34 And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. 35 When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, “This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late. 36 Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat.” 37 But He answered and said to 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 them something to eat?” 38 But He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they found out they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties. 41 And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all. 42 So they all ate and were filled. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish. 44 Now those who had eaten the loaves were about five thousand men.” Mark 6:31-44 NKJV
See also: Luke9:10-17 and Matthew 14:13-21 and John 6:1-14
Jehovah Jireh, “The LORD who will provide” (Genesis 22:14),
Jesus, and the disciples, needed to go aside to a quiet place for a while to rest and eat as they had been so busy. But we all know that things crop up at the most inconvenient time! Well 5,000 men, many with their families cropped up! And they were hungry too. The disciples suggest the best thing was to disperse the crowd and send them home. But Jesus challenges the disciples to meet their need, to feed them.
It is good to admit our weaknesses and inability – before others discover it. But Jesus didn’t ask to make them feel small and useless but to help them ‘see’. He shows the possible and does not lecture them about their inabilities or lack of faith. I like Marks version because he adds the detail that Jesus says the people are like sheep without a shepherd. Then later tells the disciples to split them into groups (little flocks?) of 50 and sit them on the green grass. (A reminder of Psalm 23:2?).
Jesus provides the miracle from the little they have to give. The disciples are not forgotten after serving up to 5000 families – they receive too. Again You remind us that even the little we give You Lord can be multiplied and used to Your glory. Many of us feel we are doing little but if that little is given to You miracles can happen. Show us where to go, what to do and when. We do not always see the outcomes, lest we become too big for our boots. Thank You God that You do the multiplying. And there are times when we too simply need to sit, rest and be fed.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 28th October 2026
Only in John’s gospel are we told it is a young boy surrenders his own lunch. Best not to hold anything too tight -so the Lord can use it.
All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.
I surrender all, I surrender all;
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.
All to Jesus, I surrender
Lord, I give myself to Thee
Fill me with Your love and power
Let Your blessing fall on me
All to Jesus, I surrender
Now I feel the sacred flame
O the joy of full salvation
Glory, glory, to Your Name
Lyrics: Judson W Van DeVenter