Understanding the Loaves
Read Mark 6:30-56.
At first glance, these two stories don't seem to have much in common—except that they are both about Jesus. But, then, that's sort of the point of Mark's Gospel, isn't it? Mark is trying to tell us about Jesus. But in one single verse, Mark makes a connection between the loaves and the water, a connection that isn't quite as clear to us today as Mark must have thought it would be. He says they are amazed when the winds died down because "they had not understood about the loaves" (6:52). What don't they understand? And what does that have to do with Jesus walking on the water?
They shouldn't be all that amazed. After all, just a couple of chapters back, you remember, Jesus spoke to the wind and the waves to calm them (to muzzle them). And they've continued to see amazing things—most recently, as Mark tells it, the multiplication of the loaves and the fishes. What did Jesus want them to learn in that experience? What did Mark want us to see that prepares us to experience Jesus walking on the water?
Certainly, we're gaining a picture of Jesus' command over nature, but that's a command that has nothing to do with being a "magic man" and everything to do with him being God himself, the creator of all. The creator who once spoke creation into being now commands that same creation with that same voice. But I think there's more going on here as well. In the story of the loaves and the fishes, Jesus not only provides for the needs of those who are there. He also provides for the disciples. Did you notice how many baskets of leftovers there are after everyone has eaten and been satisfied? There are twelve! And how many disciples are there? Twelve! Jesus provides a leftover pail—a lunch basket—for every disciple. The story of the loaves and the fishes represents perfect provision. Just enough. Just what is needed.
So when the disciples are out on the lake, again fighting a storm (I think I'd be reluctant to ever get in a boat again after this!), Jesus sees that they are in trouble, straining against the storm. So he does what he needs to do to get to them, to help them, to provide for them. It's not about walking on water or showing off. It's about meeting the needs of the disciples. In this case, he stops the storm. Perfect provision, what is needed, just like with the loaves. Notice that Jesus doesn't provide what the disciples think they need or want. He gives them what they need. He doesn't send the crowds away; he feeds them. He doesn't save them out of the storm; he joins them in the boat and brings calm to the situation. (Other storms were bound to come.) Perfect provision is not Jesus bowing to our wants and desires. It's providing what we need, even if we don't know what that is at the time.
At first glance, these two stories don't seem to have much in common—except that they are both about Jesus. But, then, that's sort of the point of Mark's Gospel, isn't it? Mark is trying to tell us about Jesus. But in one single verse, Mark makes a connection between the loaves and the water, a connection that isn't quite as clear to us today as Mark must have thought it would be. He says they are amazed when the winds died down because "they had not understood about the loaves" (6:52). What don't they understand? And what does that have to do with Jesus walking on the water?
They shouldn't be all that amazed. After all, just a couple of chapters back, you remember, Jesus spoke to the wind and the waves to calm them (to muzzle them). And they've continued to see amazing things—most recently, as Mark tells it, the multiplication of the loaves and the fishes. What did Jesus want them to learn in that experience? What did Mark want us to see that prepares us to experience Jesus walking on the water?
Certainly, we're gaining a picture of Jesus' command over nature, but that's a command that has nothing to do with being a "magic man" and everything to do with him being God himself, the creator of all. The creator who once spoke creation into being now commands that same creation with that same voice. But I think there's more going on here as well. In the story of the loaves and the fishes, Jesus not only provides for the needs of those who are there. He also provides for the disciples. Did you notice how many baskets of leftovers there are after everyone has eaten and been satisfied? There are twelve! And how many disciples are there? Twelve! Jesus provides a leftover pail—a lunch basket—for every disciple. The story of the loaves and the fishes represents perfect provision. Just enough. Just what is needed.
So when the disciples are out on the lake, again fighting a storm (I think I'd be reluctant to ever get in a boat again after this!), Jesus sees that they are in trouble, straining against the storm. So he does what he needs to do to get to them, to help them, to provide for them. It's not about walking on water or showing off. It's about meeting the needs of the disciples. In this case, he stops the storm. Perfect provision, what is needed, just like with the loaves. Notice that Jesus doesn't provide what the disciples think they need or want. He gives them what they need. He doesn't send the crowds away; he feeds them. He doesn't save them out of the storm; he joins them in the boat and brings calm to the situation. (Other storms were bound to come.) Perfect provision is not Jesus bowing to our wants and desires. It's providing what we need, even if we don't know what that is at the time.
Things to ponder.
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