Mark records the commissioning of the disciples in briefer form than Matthew. But, unlike Matthew, he then records their return, and he places the well-known account of the feeding of the 5000 in this context. When the disciples note that the multitude following Jesus needed to be fed, Jesus turns to them and says: “You give them something to eat.” Their response focused on their lack of capacity to meet this need. Jesus is going to teach them something in this moment that they should have learned already on their ‘short-term mission trip’. When they went out and healed people, they were not drawing on their own resources but on the resources of heaven. So now Jesus was testing them to see if they would apply that here. Their despair led to Jesus demonstrating how Kingdom ministry works. Jesus asks them to give him the little that they have. When they give him the loaves and fish, Jesus takes them and looks, not to these meagre resources, but up to heaven and he gives thanks for the abundance of God. As they give out of the little that they have God multiplies it and it is more than sufficient to feed the multitude. You may not think much of your capacities, but your ability to serve God is not dependent on those. For you to fulfil your role in God’s mission you must simply give to him the little you have. He will then use this to bring about marvellous things. Give yourself to God and see what happens.
Think about the capacities and resources that you have and dedicate them to God to use to bless others.
Read Mark 6:7-13, 30-44
