July 8th, 2013
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Love, Pray, Eat

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Pray this ancient Jewish prayer today: “Blessed are You, Lord God of creation, who brings forth bread from the earth.”

Read Mark 6:30-44

[30] The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. [31] Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” [32] So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. [33] But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. [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! 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. [42] They all ate and were satisfied, [43] and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. [44] The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“Jesus provided rest for his disciples, truth for the waiting multitude, and food for these people. He was the Provider sent from God; for them and for us” (Ray Stedman). We must be forever grateful.

Think Further

Today’s opening verses are significant because Mark specifies that Jesus’ “apostles” gather around him, whereas he previously refers to them as “the twelve” (4:10; 6:7) or simply as “his disciples” (6:1). After weeks of work since Jesus handed over increasing responsibility to them (6:7), they have a deepening corporate bond. Mark implies that Jesus’ closest followers have become his family (30, c.f. 3:7,35; 10:29). He also hints at their weariness and hunger (31) while Matthew, at this point, suggests Jesus grieves over his cousin’s murder (Matt. 14:13). All of this partly explains Jesus’ invitation to his companions to withdraw by boat for a secluded rest, perhaps to a favorite childhood Galilean refuge in the vicinity of Bethsaida (Luke 9:10). They don’t get it right, however (33). Their best-laid plans for a quiet picnic have to be remade as Jesus is moved with compassion when he finds that so many Galileans have guessed their destination.

I remember the hard work during weeks of Bolivian Scripture Union camps as a young mission volunteer. I got to that point where low blood-sugar levels caused frustration similar to that of the apostles, who now resort to snapping unsolicited instructions at Jesus (36). What they need is a very late lunch, but Jesus doesn’t respond as they want him to (37a). Imagine their mounting irritation as their energy levels plunge (37b). Now Jesus gives the instructions (38), and the biggest picnic lunch ever in Galilee gets underway (39). Mark hopes we laugh at the irony of this working lunch for ravenous disciples (43). More than that, he wants us to glimpse the openness of creation to a new kind of beginning through Christ as Jesus simply prays, then acts (41,42).

Apply

Jesus’ example of costly love includes feasting beyond imagining. What preconceptions do you need to let go of today to taste and see (Exod. 16:31; Isa. 55:2)?

Closing prayer

Lord Jesus, in a world of self-help psychology and “you can do it” thinking, I am reminded that in all things I am truly and totally dependent on You.

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