Lessons from the Feeding of 5000

In Mark 6:.30-44, a miraculous act of Jesus is recorded. From a few loaves of bread and fish, Jesus fed a crowd consisting of 5000 men, plus women and children. Obviously Jesus, having created all matter, also knew how to work with and within his creation (i.e. also walking on water, healing diseases, bring the spirit of life back to those who had died, etc.)

Beyond acknowledging his mastery of nature and the elements, we can draw personal lessons from this event:

Jesus wants us to impact the world using what we have

When he asked his disciples to feed the crowd, they responded "rationally" as we might. "That would take 8 months wages! Should we spend that much?" Jesus then asked them to bring what they already had...not what they could acquire over time or produce in a year, but what was currently at their disposal. The result: 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish.

Our offerings and efforts are meager

We might consider it laughable to bring such a resource for such a big job. "What's the point?" we might ask. I have to imagine the disciples approached Jesus rather sheepishly as they brought the bread and fish to Jesus. "Will the Master ridicule us for bring him this?"

With his blessing, our offerings and efforts are more than adequate

Jesus has a different perspective on reality than man does. He wasn't concerned in the least by the puny resources at his disposal. He calmly directed the disciples to seat the crowd, gave thanks to God, the giver of good gifts, and sent the disciples to distribute the food. As we read, everyone was more than satisfied.

What about us?

Jesus' plan involves working through us in our ordinary, imperfect states ("jars of clay" Paul states in 2 Corinthians ch4) as his ambassadors to the world using talents already at our disposal. Waiting until we are "better prepared" or "more knowledgeable" isn't part of his plan.

In a real sense, it doesn't matter how proficient we think we are, we are still mere servants, parts of a spiritual body needing all members working together to properly function. Looked at another way, even our best individual efforts are rather pitiful when compared to the mission.

Yet, we're assured that we can "do all things through Christ." For his glory, He will make up anything that may be lacking in our faithful efforts. Continue planting seeds; God will bring the appropriate increase at appropriate times.