If you are just joining us or missed the pass two postings, you may view the retelling of the story on our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/9oa439_ctgw  To catch up or review the last two posts, you may find Part 1 HERE  and Part 2 may be read by clicking HERE.

Feeding of the 5000 – Mark 6:31-44; Luke 9:10-17; Matt. 14:13-21; John 9:12-17

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.  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.” Mark 6: 34,41,42
There are 3 points that I believe the Lord has spoken to me to share with you concerning this Biblical account:

• His Invitation
• His Compassion
• His Provision 

I don't know about you, but during these holiday seasons I find myself more tender-hearted.  Just eating in a restaurant can sometimes cause me to tear up!  I think about what the life of the waiter may be like and how they need to leave their family to work and provide.  I wonder about the lives of the other patrons who are eating and what causes them to be away from family...or if they even have one!  I'm talking about the people that carry a certain look.  Surely you've seen them, too!  You can see in their eyes, a loneliness, pain, frustration, or burden.  They move and carry their body distinctively with expressions that are rather hollow and distant.  I try to sink my watery eyes deep into the menu and swallow back my own emotion.  Since childhood, I occasionally experience these sudden, out of the blue, tender-hearted moments...I guess I'm weird that way.  One would probably call it compassion, but compassion is something that moves us to action.  And that is exactly what Jesus does!  Compassion is far greater than sympathy or empathy.  Compassion produces action – it’s a type of love fuel that moves us to acts of kindness and mercy when confronted by those who are suffering or vulnerable.

There are many other scriptures that tells us of the compassion Jesus had for others. I encourage you to do a personal search about this topic.  It is quite uplifting to learn of His compassion for us.  Here are just a few examples:
When Jesus saw the people, with lavish compassion he….

• Jesus stretched out His hand and touched…Matthew 8:3
• He carries the lambs in His bosom…Is. 40:11
• In all their affliction He was afflicted….He lifted them and carried them Is. 63:9
• He makes known His presence…and encourages….It is I, be not afraid.  

The Latin, compati means “to suffer with.” But, compassion means putting other’s needs before your own.

God is moved with Compassion when He Looks at you! 
Likewise, Jesus is our example of offering Compassion toward others.

• Ps. 86:15 “But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”
• Lamentations 3:22,23 His compassions NEVER fail. They are new every morning!
• Ps. 103:13 "As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him"
  Phil 2:1-5“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from His love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” 

In my own life, I have noticed that I have selective compassion. Some times prejudices or presuppositions sink in.  Oh, to have a heart like God’s.  Does our heart break for what breaks the heart of God?
​1st John 3:17, “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”

When we take on the challenge of demonstrating authentic compassion, we will be transformed!

​Even when Jesus, needed rest and a time to grieve, holding nothing back, He moved ahead of his own physical need and moved toward others with a gaze of compassion…not just for their physical need, but for their spiritual need as well.  
 
I love this paragraph from one of D.L. Moody’s sermons:
“Did you ever hear of one coming to Christ that he did not accept? He doesn’t care what position in life you hold. No matter how low down you are; no matter what your disposition has been. You may be low in your thoughts, words and actions; you may be selfish; your heart may be overflowing with corruption and wickedness; yet Jesus will have compassion upon you. He will speak comforting words to you, not treat you coldly or spurn you, as perhaps those of earth would, but will speak tender words, and words of love and affection and kindness.“ 

​Even in the midst of the storm, Jesus saw His disciples struggling against the torrential waves. With lavish love and a heart of compassion, He walked out to them.  He offered words of encouragement, and once He entered in with them, their hearts were calmed.  Do you recognize when He climbs into your storm tossed boat?  Do you recognize it as a heart of compassion for your life? 

Pause now and thank Him for His tender compassion toward you.  You may wish to make a list or write in a journal.  I encourage you to think about the emotions that are linked with compassion and remember that healing fell hand in hand with His compassion for others.  Let Him heal your hurt, frustration, or physical need right now by wrapping yourself in His Word, through prayer, and believing that He desires to be with you.

​PROVISION
The feeding of the 5K story doesn't end when the disciples picked up the left-overs! Be sure to read through Mark 6:45-56 as Jesus walks on the water and calms the storm.

List the ways you saw Jesus providing for the people throughout this full Biblical account Mark 6:30 - 56.
Here are just a few that I came away with:

1. A "Get Away" for rest and time with together with co-laborors.
2. Healing for the sick
3. Faith lesson – for His disciples  - Start with what you have, Give what you have to Christ, Obey what He commands, Conserve so that nothing is wasted.
4. Soft grassy slope with Jesus teaching words of hope and truth
5. Spiritual food and physical food
6. Safety from the storm
7. Peace in a terrifying situation
8. He provided His presence and provision

It seems that our Lord is always providing!  From the beginning of the world in the garden of Eden, He provided food and fellowship with Him.  He has also provided manna from Heaven, not only for the Hebrew children of Moses' time, but Christ, our manna from heaven, who takes away the sin of the world so we can fellowship with the most Holy.  He is Jehovah Jireh, The Lord who provides!

When Jesus received the boy's lunch, He did 3 things that I believe are important to examine.

Looked into Heaven, Blessed, & Broke
 
Communication with God does not require a certain physical position, but postures do give expression to the attitudes of our hearts.

I have thought about the way I often pray.  Mostly, my head is bowed…in reverence and my eyes closed. Looking toward heaven in prayer seems to display a more boldness in coming to the throne.  I should do that more often!
Looking a person in the face indicates confidence and honesty. It is indicative of an open, trusting relationship. The Gospels record many instances when Jesus prayed, looking up into heaven.  

Like a small child looks to his/her parents for help, this position of prayer reflects purity of heart and expresses the following attitudes:

• It demonstrates where our help comes from. 
  Looking up to God in prayer serves as a testimony that we are putting our hope in Him and waiting on Him for help. “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth”(Psalm 121:1–2, ESV).
• It displays confident faith. 
  At the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus prayed with faith and thanksgiving before He raised Lazarus from the dead: “. . . And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou has sent me” (John 11:41–42).
• It indicates intimate fellowship with God. 
  Jesus never sinned. He enjoyed perfect fellowship with His heavenly Father. When He prayed on the night before His crucifixion, “these words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: as thou has given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him” (John 17:1–2.)

​My come away with this phrase is two-fold:
 
First, I can look Abba Father into the face with my hands raised, showing my dependency on Him.
I thank Him for all things – the good, the bad, and the ugly – In faith, I offer Him what I have – He breaks me so that I know it is He that does the amazing and astonishing work with which to declare His glory, apart from any actions of my own. His faithful hand of mercy touches and miraculously takes what is broken and multiplies it for good  – and His Kingdom purposes.
 
The second is this, the story of the Feeding of the 5K is a foreshadowing of things to come for him.
He is the Bread of Life, He was wounded and broken for our transgressions and bore the iniquity of us all. Jesus is our Bread, He is the feast…He distributes Himself and gives freely for all.  He that eats is satisfied and hungers & thirst nevermore.

Let me leave you with this thought as I close out this 3 part mini series:
 
Evening approached (the end of daylight) – In your life, you may feel like you are moving into a time of darkness.  Storms are on the brink.  You fill out of control.  You cannot find your way.
You sense Jesus calling you to come away…be still…Come to a remote place – This remote place represents your witts end.  It is barren and desolate, but you know that God has you in this place for a purpose. You long to feel His tender arms carry you on.  You, like the crowds are searching for answers, wisdom, healing…you are hungry & fatigued.

Do you hear Jesus inviting you to sit on the soft green grass?  His eyes and heart of compassion are heavy for you.  He desires to satisfy your longing soul.  He invites you to eat and be fully satisfied.  And Your hungry soul - He will fill with good things, if you but feast on the abundance of all of His provisions.  He will calm the storm and carry you safely to shore.  Trust His heart for you and your need!  With a compassionate heart, He will provide!

Finding His Compassion and Provisions new every morning,
​Sherry
​Resources: Sermons- John McArthur (gty.org) & Dr. R.C. Sproul (Ligonier Ministries), Desiring God -John Piper, Articles/Blogs from Faithgateway.com,
​Sally Clarkson, Commentaries: Matthew Henry, Oliver B. Greene. Logos Software, Lexicon, Strong’s Concordance

There are 3 points that I believe the Lord has spoken to me to share with you concerning this Biblical account:

• His Invitation
• His Compassion
• His Provision 

Today's blog will focus on His Invitation.  It's His invitation to "Come!"

At the heart of Restore Ministries, our message has always been that of what Jesus so purposefully beckons of us.  
​To Come Away!
We believe that the Lord wants to restore and redeem the brokenness, the wounds,
and the weariness of our souls, as we find our wholeness in Him.

The value of rest should never be underestimated. It is essential for fruitful labor. A quiet secluded place is necessary to recharge the mind, heart and body. Rest was just what Jesus had in mind for His weary friends, the disciples.  They had spent much time "doing ministry" when Jesus sent them out two by two.  On this particular day, they reconvened to report all that they had done in Jesus' name. When Jesus saw them, I believe he saw a weariness, a heaviness, and tired bodies.  They had just heard the news about the beheading of John the Baptist, their friend, and there was also an emotional drain.  Not only were their spirits depleted, but scripture tells us that they didn't even have time to eat!  So their physical bodies were also depleted.  They seemed to be in such a hustle and with constant hurry.  Jesus' invitation to them was to come away to a secluded place and rest a while.

Can you relate?  Do you find yourself hustling...and with good cause?  How long has it been since you took some time to restore, replenish, and rest?  

Pulling away to be refilled is crucial to the many acts of kindness, love, and the out-pouring of our heart.  Ministry is often draining.  There is not only a physical exhaustion that takes place with much doing, but a spiritual exhaustion as you pour out and into the lives of others. We must remember that we can only pour out what has been placed within.  

Unrest leaves us in a state of chaos and confusion. Our soul cries out for peace. 
The Bible says, “The wicked are like the troubled sea, When it cannot rest, Whose waters cast up mire and dirt” (Isaiah 57:20). “In the morning you shall say, ‘Oh, that it were evening!’ And at evening you shall say, ‘Oh, that it were morning!'” (Deuteronomy 28:67).
 
We are being slammed on every side!  Everyone wants a piece of us.  Deadlines quickly arise and we find ourselves grasping for every single minute.  I don’t need to tell you what it’s like. You are very much aware.  We hunger for just a moment to breathe!
​
It’s sad that I have to remind myself to BREATHE! And I’ll admit my fault, I’m the queen of unrest, but I do know it’s value.  I am an example of “a work in progress” as I seek quiet times for restoration.

There is also something to be said about stillness and solitude.  

• Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God…”
• Psalm 23 “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing, He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.”
• Psalm 91:1 “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

I believe REST is something that everyone seeks.  We hunger for it!  "Unrest" seems to lie at the core of a hungry heart!

As I move about my days and decisions I face, there are times I find myself being hijacked.  What is it that is being taken?  My peace.  My rest.  My ability to keep my mind focused on Kingdom purposes and opportunities to display God's glory. Even my joy is often stolen.  And I ask myself, how is this possible?  Most often, it's because my battle plan is weak.  I have not taken to heart the seriousness of resting...and resting IN HIM! 

​Rest also comes with being still…when we quieten our body, mind, and spirit, it is then that we experience great communion with God.  He commands us to Be still and know that He is God.  We need to remember to GO INTO OUR CLOSET and SHUT THE DOOR!  Communion with the Father provides rest for our hungry soul.  He fills it with good things as is stated in the Psalm 107:9 verse.  

Passover celebrated one of Israel’s key stories, the moment that God took a bunch of Hebrew slaves, liberated them from oppression and started to build them into a nation. Suddenly a whole narrative starts playing into this miracle – after all, didn’t God feed his people when they were in the wilderness? And, when they were in the wilderness, weren’t the people arranged in administrative units of hundreds and fifties, just like Jesus commands in verse Mark 6:40? 
 
Jesus notes in verse 34 that the people were “Like sheep without a shepherd”, and again this is linking to a whole other narrative, the Old Testament idea that leaders – kings, priests – had a duty as the shepherds of their people, and yet many of them had completely failed in this. Again, we can go back to the birth of Israel to see where this idea comes from – In Numbers 27:15-17, Moses asks God to appoint his successor so that Israel won’t be, you’ve guessed it, sheep without a shepherd. This idea recurs throughout the Bible – Ezekiel 34 is an extended attack on the bad ‘shepherds’ and points out that God himself will act as a good shepherd, which is also a very famous description of Jesus.
 
And you know it from what scripture?  God mentions green grass, shepherding, and provision? Psalm 23!  

• Psalm 23 “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing, He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.”

 
Suddenly the feeding of the five thousand is linked with one of the greatest expressions of God’s love and support ever committed to paper. This miracle is about God supporting his people, protecting them, looking after them, loving them. And it’s tied into a bigger story, that of God’s rescue plan for humanity that culminates in Christ’s death and resurrection. And even this story is a foreshadowing of yet another account in scripture when Jesus serves His disciples in the upper room. 

​Even in Ezekiel 34:15 The Lord declares that He will have them lie down!
 
God has a way of making you lie down if you don’t take time for yourself!  When you find yourself in a "Holy reclining position," God’s compassion runs warm like a blanket tucked in. Then, you are ready to receive His wondrous provisions!

So listen to God's invitation to you today.  Come...find rest!  I promise you won't be sorry, but encouraged as you find in Him ALL that your hungry and longing soul seeks!  Strengthen your battle plan.  Call together an army of close friends that will pray for you and remind you look toward the Good Shepherd who will restore, revive, invite you to rest, and will lead in you paths of righteousness...for His name sake.

In our next blog, I'll share a little insight about His Compassion and His Provision as we finish up the short series of The Feeding of the 5K.  

​It is our prayer that you will accept His Invitation to “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while” and allow the Lord to restore and redeem the brokenness, the wounds, and the weariness of your soul, as you find your wholeness in Him.

Sharing in His Feast,
​Sherry