Satisfied

In a gospel Bible study with a friend, we came to the feeding of 5,000 again. This time Mark 6:30-44. (Same lessons re feeding of 4,000.) There's a month worth of sermons to take note of in these passages.

Jesus asked his disciples to come by themselves to a quiet place to get some rest. (Yes, going to a quiet place to rest is scriptural, i.e. my daily nap when overcome with sleeping sickness; a time of refreshing.) They went by boat to a solitary place. We need the refreshment of a solitary place (without distractions). Before Jesus' crucifixation he went to a solitary place to pray to his Father for strength. "Not my will be done, but Thine."

But people saw them leaving, guessing their destination, and "ran" ahead to meet Jesus and his disciples. There is no mention where the solitary place was other than in the boat. Your solitary place can be anywhere. (One of mine is while weeding. Exercise is beneficial for body and soul, as is nature.) The crowd ran to meet Jesus. Do we have the same enthusiasm to spend a portion of our day in fellowship with Him? A spiritual hunger?

When Jesus saw the crowd He had compassion on them. See Matthew 9:36. Compassion: "sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others."  (Google definition.)  Jesus, being the healer of physical, emotional, spiritual discord, was filled with compassion.  Jesus is also referred to as the Good Shepherd in the same verse as being compassionate.  Here He became the Shepherd of the flock by teaching.  

It became late in the day.  They were in a remote place.  There was nothing to eat.  Catch that phrase "remote place."  Have you ever been there? Alone, no one understands, no one comes along beside showing compassion.  Depression knocking at your door.  An emotional and spiritual hunger.

The disciples had come up with a human response - send the crowd away to go buy something to eat.  But Jesus knew a supernatural answer to the dilemna.  

Verse 37 states the disciples calculated it would take 8 months of wages to feed 5,000 people!  Aren't we the same way.  Don't we reason the cost - dollars, time, sacrifice.  Don't we doubt instead of trust.  

Jesus is about to surprise everyone.  In my first book there is a quote that says: 

        "Our bills are blessings in disguise, 

        for they teach us that God does supply."

I have this pasted on my checkbook cover.  Have found it true over and over.  God's arithmetic is multiplication, as seen in this example in Mark 6.  And God often supplies at the 11th hour.  This could have been an 11th hour answer to someone's prayer as it was late in the day.

The disciples found someone had brought a lunch with them.  This lunch was offered to Jesus, perhaps as a love offering.  Jesus thanked God for the 5 loaves and 2 fish.  Then He "broke" the lunch, dividing it.  Note "broke."  We would do anything to avoid brokenness, but brokenness is when God is able to use us.  In the end His division becomes multiplication.  For our good and His glory.  (Re brokenness, Google states:  Though you may feel defeated, God is closer than you realize. He is always with you and can heal your heart.) 

Note verse 42, they all ate and were satisfied.  Next time you fix yourself a tuna fish sandwich, be reminded of how God supplies - sometimes supernaturally.  No one went away hungry.  Sounds like no one complained they wanted something to drink or wanted dessert.  Satisfied : Filled!  Recipients of:  Jesus' compassion (v34), teaching from their shepherd (v34),  hunger satisfied (v42).  Emotional, spiritual, physical needs all met by God's Son.  What mercy and grace!  Dwell on those two words for a minute.   Mercy :  Grace.  Both free.  As salvation is free, not earned, but a gift from God.

A simple prayer to pray after Bible study or after eating is "Fill my cup, Lord."  There is a hymn by that name as well.  

Copied:  "Fill my cup, Lord.  I lift it up, Lord! Come and quench this thirsting of my soul; Bread of heaven, feed me till I want no more~Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!” In essence, the hymnist is simply saying, “I want more of You, Lord! I want more of Your presence, more of Your power, more of Your love, more of Your grace.

Verse 43 states the disciples picked up the broken pieces.  Nothing goes to waste in God's economy.  God uses our brokenness for His glory.  Is there something you need to give to God to heal?  I pray you have a disciple/a spiritual mentor that can guide you in healing your brokenness.  

If not, God is always available to listen.  Remember, He speaks in a still, small voice.  Plan a get away to a quiet place, a solitary place.  Fill up on God's promises.  Claim them.  Live them.  Let your brokenness/emptiness be filled with satisfaction only God can give.  Perhaps you've tried everything the world offers and are found wanting.  Have you tried your Creator who knows you better than anyone?