Day 14: Satisfaction.
He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke the loaves. He kept giving them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. Everyone ate and was satisfied.
Mark 6:41-42
One thing I’ve missed this past year has been going out for lunch with friends. I’m sure I’m not alone in that. When Pete and I were youth workers, we’d often take some of the lads out for lunch on a Friday, before we got set up for the youth club. More often than not, we went for a buffet lunch. Whether it was Pizza Hut, or a ‘world buffet’ type place, we all loved it because we could eat as much as we wanted, and it was goooood! They were perfect for a bunch of hungry young lads. We never left those places unsatisfied, if anything, we probably ate too much!
One of Jesus most famous miracles took place for a massive crowd of hungry people. This wasn’t just a handful of hungry lads, there were 5000 men. On top of that there would have been another huge number of women and children.
It began when Jesus took his disciples away to a quiet place to rest. Life of discipleship and mission was busy, and Jesus knew they needed time to rest physically and spiritually. They needed time away from the crowds with Jesus.
But news had spread about where Jesus was headed, and when they arrived he saw a crowd gathering, a wandering people, a flock of sheep without a shepherd. He had intended to take some down time, but he doesn’t get cranky with these folk. Rather, he has compassion on these lost souls, so he gives them his time and teaches them.
Time marched on and soon it was late. Jesus had been teaching all day, the disciples were exhausted, the crowd were hungry. The disciples figured it was finally time to send the swarms of folk away, but instead Jesus hit them with a surprising alternative.
‘You give them something to eat.’
The disciples knew that was nigh on impossible, and with a quick calculation reckoned it would cost 200 denarii, probably around £20k in our money. What on earth was Jesus suggesting?
At Jesus insistence, they go and find they had five loaves and two fish. Jesus takes this tiny portion and in a phenomenal creation miracle he provides for the crowd.
‘Everyone ate and was satisfied.’
They didn’t just get a wee snack to tide them over ‘til they got home. They ate as much as they wanted, till their wee bellies were full. Jesus provided more than enough, and there were 12 baskets left over.
In the bible bread is symbolic of life. When the Israelites wandered in the desert God provided manna, bread that they could have daily so that they might eat and live. When Jesus called himself the bread of life (John 6:35), in essence he was saying ‘you need me to live.’
Apart from Jesus there is no true life.
Apart from Jesus there is no eternal life.
Apart from Jesus we’re hungry, wandering around looking for something to satisfy our hunger.
With Jesus we can be fed and satisfied eternally. He cares, he provides and he satisfies. He cares for our lost wandering souls. He provided by giving his body in place of ours on the cross. He satisfies by giving new life and the hope of a beautiful, restful, satisfying eternal rest.
Where are you looking for satisfaction today? Buffet lunches satisfied our bellies for a wee while, but we were soon ready for our next meal. Jesus gives spiritual satisfaction eternally, and we can know that today. Come and feast on his word, fill your heart and mind with his goodness, and find true rest for your soul.
Passage for today: Mark 6:30-44
A thought to remember: Jesus is the all satisfying bread of life.
A question to ask: How can you feast on Jesus and find satisfying rest in him today?
A song to sing: The Goodness of Jesus