As ministry needs increased, Jesus sought solitude but was unable to obtain it due to His prioritizing of others’ needs ahead of His own. When Jesus fed the five thousand, He demonstrated the powerful principle that compassion can never clock out.
Mark 6:30-44
30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught.31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.32 And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. 35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late.36 Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered 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 it to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.
Rest While You Can (Mark 6:30-32)
- Jesus’ method of discipleship begins with a call to follow and eventually transitions into a call to go.
- The busier we are, the more necessary it is to retreat regularly with Jesus.
- Never get over the fact that Jesus makes your concerns His concerns.
Give What You Got (Mark 6:33-38)
- Ministry is prioritizing others’ needs over your wants.
- Instead of rushing people off so you can get to your agenda, have you ever considered that maybe they are the agenda?
- Jesus didn’t demand anything from the disciples that they didn’t have.
Trust Jesus for the Rest (Mark 6:39-44)
- Jesus obviously doesn’t need our help, but He graciously asks us to be involved.
- While Jesus might postpone addressing our concerns, He never overlooks them.
- The most significant gift by Jesus is not a need met but a Shepherd given.
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.