Mark 6:30-44 “The Kingdom of God on Earth”

Mark 6:30-44 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE | Planetshakers
• Do It Again | Elevation Worship
• Way Maker – Leeland
• Those Who Seek the LordㅣTeam Luke Worship (Korean Praise with ENG SUB)
  • Click [CC] and select ‘English’ Subtitles/CC in Setting [Gear Wheel Icon].

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• Jesus Feeds the 5,000 – Bible Story for Kids
• My God Is So Big (introducing Grayson the Elephant) – Song for Kids
• Every Move I Make I Make In You – Song for Kids
• No Matter What I’m Facing | Roar VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• O Taste and See – Bethel Music Kids | Come Alive – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

The apostles, who had gone out to preach, returned to Jesus at the appointed time. They were excited as they reported everything that had happened through them (v. 30). This was because they had not expected such amazing things to take place through them. After listening to their reports, Jesus said, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest for a while” (v. 31). Jesus knew that they needed rest. He himself often withdrew to solitary places to rest and pray (Mark 1:35). So, he took them by boat to a quiet place (v. 32).

However, the people noticed what was happening and arrived there ahead of them (v. 33). Seeing their desperate longing for him, Jesus thought of them as “sheep without a shepherd” (v. 34). The Greek word translated as “had compassion” (splanchnizomai) is also used in Mark 1:41, describing a deep, gut-wrenching empathy. Moved with compassion, Jesus got out of the boat and taught them until evening.

As evening approached, the disciples suggested to Jesus that he dismiss the crowd so they could go find food for themselves (vv. 35-36). However, Jesus responded, “You give them something to eat” (v. 37). The disciples understood this as a command to buy food for the crowd, but they replied that they did not have enough money. The denarius was a common Roman coin and represented a day’s wages for an adult male laborer. Two hundred denarii would be the equivalent of two hundred days’ wages, a significant amount. By today’s standards, if a daily wage were $100, this would amount to $20,000.

Jesus, however, paid no attention to their concerns and instead said, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see” (v. 38). They found that they had only five loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus took what they had and instructed the people to sit in groups of fifty or a hundred (vv. 39-40). The phrase “He made them sit down on the green grass” brings to mind Psalm 23. Given that verse 34 describes the people as “like sheep without a shepherd,” it is clear that Mark was reflecting on Psalm 23 in this account and portraying Jesus as the Good Shepherd.

Then, Jesus “took the loaves and the fish, looked up to heaven, blessed them, broke the loaves, and gave them” to the disciples to distribute among the people (v. 41). These four actions (took, blessed, broke, and gave) later became the foundational pattern for the Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion). As the disciples followed Jesus’ instructions, everyone ate until they were satisfied (v. 42). Afterward, they collected the leftovers, filling twelve baskets (v. 43). The number of men alone was about five thousand (v. 44), meaning that if women and children were counted, the total would have been significantly higher.

Meditation:

The miracle of the Five Loaves and Two Fish is recorded in all four Gospels, highlighting its significance to the early Christians. Just as the Israelites in the wilderness considered the manna from heaven the most important miracle, the early believers saw the feeding of the five thousand as one of Jesus’s most important miracles. This event was deeply remembered because it was a moment when they most clearly experienced God’s presence.

The words and actions of Jesus demonstrated that God was actively working among them. Some events hinted at this subtly, others showed it more clearly, and some, like this one, revealed God’s presence in an undeniable way. The miracle of the five loaves and two fish must have felt like a momentary experience of being transported into the Kingdom of God. Through this event, Jesus wanted people to open their eyes to God’s Kingdom. The fact that this miracle is recorded in all four Gospels indicates that the early Christians understood its deep significance.

Mark, in telling this story, invites the reader to recall Psalm 23. This psalm begins with the declaration, “The Lord is my shepherd” (v. 1), and its message is fully realized through Jesus. Seeing the crowds who followed him everywhere, Jesus viewed them as “sheep without a shepherd” and deeply empathized with their despair and suffering. When Jesus had the people “sit down on the green grass,” it brings to mind the words of Psalm 23: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (v. 5). Mark is conveying to his readers that Jesus, as the Son of God and our Savior, is indeed the Good Shepherd.

At the Communion table, when the presider takes the bread and cup, blesses them, breaks the bread, and gives it, we are reminded of our Good Shepherd. Just as God fed the Israelites with manna in the wilderness, Jesus, our Good Shepherd, nourishes and leads us through the wilderness of life. The Lord who fed the great multitude with five loaves and two fish in the barren land became the eternal Bread of Life, broken in God’s hands for our salvation. During his last supper with his disciples, he declared his body would be broken for their redemption. Because of this, he became the true sustenance for all who believed. We partake in the Lord’s Supper frequently to taste and remember the eternal life he has given us.

Prayer:

Good Shepherd, our Lord.You had compassion on the crowd that followed you even into the wilderness to hear your words. In your mercy, you performed the miracle of manna, turning the barren wilderness into a glimpse of heaven. The people recognized you as the Good Shepherd who had come to be with them, and they found great comfort and strength in your presence. Lord, we need that same grace today. Without you, our lives are like a desolate wilderness. Open our eyes to see that our Good Shepherd is always with us. Let the confession, “Everywhere is the Kingdom of Heaven,” become a true reality in our hearts. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: Jesus showed his deep love and care for the people by feeding them when they were hungry. Just as he miraculously provided food for the crowd, He provides for our needs today—both physically and spiritually. Jesus is our Good Shepherd, guiding us through life and reminding us that with him, we will never be truly empty.

• For Preschool-Lower Elementary
  • Have you ever felt really hungry? How did it feel to be fed when you were hungry?
  • Jesus is like a shepherd who takes care of His sheep. How do you think Jesus takes care of you?
• For Upper Elementary-Middle School
  • Why do you think Jesus told the disciples, “You give them something to eat” instead of performing the miracle right away?
  • The disciples didn’t think they had enough, but Jesus made it more than enough. How does this story encourage you when you feel like you don’t have much to offer?
• For High School
  • The miracle of the five loaves and two fish is in all four Gospels. Why do you think the early Christians saw this event as so important?
  • Jesus turned an empty, lonely place into a place of blessing. Where in your life do you feel like you are in a “wilderness,” and how can you trust Jesus to provide?