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March 3 – Mark 6:14-44


In this passage, Jesus’ disciples return from their preaching and healing mission. As we saw in Jesus’ parable of the mustard seed (Mark 4:30-34), the Kingdom of God started small, but it was growing. More and more people were hearing the good news and paying attention. The miracles were causing a stir. The preaching—coming from ordinary men—amazed people. Some were repenting and turning to God. And the stories of healing and change were spreading—even to Herod’s court.


Herod Antipas was a tetrarch (one of four rulers of a country or province) who ruled over the region of Galilee and Peraea (the east bank of the Jordan) as a client king of Rome. His father, Herod the Great, was the ruler who ordered the killing of the male babies in Bethlehem to try to get rid of Jesus (see Matthew 2:16). Like his father, Herod Antipas was a greedy, selfish ruler, even taking his brother’s wife, Herodias, as his own. John the Baptist called Herod and Herodias to repent of this sin, and this eventually led to John’s beheading (vv. 18-29). So, when Herod hears about the miracles and the sudden growth of Jesus’ ministry, he fearfully assumes John the Baptist has come back from the dead (v. 16). But John’s ministry had only been a precursor.


With Jesus’ ministry, the mustard seed of the Kingdom of God had been planted, had taken root, and was growing and flourishing quickly and suddenly. So much so that Jesus and His disciples didn’t even have much time to rest.


Upon His disciples’ return from their preaching and healing mission, Jesus could see that they were tired and hungry, so He calls them to come away with Him to a quiet place and rest (v. 31). But the Kingdom was still growing. People were eager to hear more. So, even though Jesus and His disciples get in a boat, the crowds follow them on land and find the “solitary place” where they had intended to rest (v. 32-33).


Instead of sending the crowds away, Jesus has compassion on them because “they were like sheep without a shepherd” (v. 34). So, setting aside His own time of rest, He begins to teach them—to guide them and invite them into the Kingdom of God. All day their souls were fed, but as the day wore on, their bodies grew hungry. The disciples come to Jesus to tell Him to send the crowd away to dinner, but Jesus sees no reason why both body and soul could not be fed right where they were. He also uses this moment as an opportunity to test His disciples’ faith, telling them to give the people something to eat (v. 37).


The disciples were incredulous. How could they possibly feed so many people! But Jesus tells them to just bring what they have—five loaves and two fish. After Jesus offers a prayer of thanks for this food, He has His disciples distribute it—to 5,000 men and their families! And twelve baskets of leftovers were gathered up when everyone was full!


The Kingdom of God was spreading, and the disciples had just learned that it was enough to offer what they had to the mission. God would multiply it, and there would always be more than enough.


The Kingdom of God is still growing and flourishing, and you have a place in it. You are a disciple of Jesus, too. When you look at your talents, gifts, and offerings, they may not seem like much, but if you trust God and offer them up to Him, He will multiply them, and you will be amazed at the results. Scripture tells us that we can “do all things through Christ, who strengthens [us]” (Philippians 4:13) and that without Jesus, we can do nothing (John 15:5). All things or nothing—this is the difference Jesus makes in our lives. As you talk to Jesus today, ask Him what He would like you to offer up for His use, and then offer it in faith, expecting to be amazed at what He will do in and through you—not only for the Kingdom, but also for you, a citizen of that Kingdom and one of His beloved children.

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My name is Melissa Anderson. I'm a spiritual director and ordained pastor who loves God, people, and words. You can read more about me by clicking the button below.

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