Devotional: You Do It Mark 6:33-44

“But He answered them, ‘You give them something to eat’” (Mk. 6:37, NASB)!

We often see people with needs. For me, it seems like almost everywhere I go I see someone with a sign expressing their needs. The sign usually tell the need and ask for assistance to meet the need. Since I cannot contribute to everyone’s needs I am trying to learn to trust my gut feelings to tell me how I should respond in each situation. I am trying to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit as He directs my decisions. What is my attitude when I see someone with a sign asking for help?

The feeding of 5000 men plus women and children is recorded in all four Gospels. In Mark’s Gospel the writer is emphasizing the inadequate resources of the disciples to meet the needs of the people. Also, the writer wants the disciples of Jesus to know that what little food that they have, however small, is enough to feed the people. They just need to give what they have to Jesus. Jesus is the Son of God and he is able to do whatever needs to be done to get the job done.

The disciples recognize the urgency of the situation, but they do not have enough food available to feed the crowds. They suggest that the people go and buy food for them. On the other hand, Jesus not only knows the situation; He has compassion for the people. Jesus desires to meet their needs. Jesus wants you and me to have a heart of compassion. Instead of turning away people and telling them to fend for themselves Jesus tells the disciples to give the people something to eat. Don’t look for others to do what you can do. Jesus says to the disciples, you do it.

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for meeting our needs. We cannot do what we need to do with our limited resources so we give what we have to you. Amen.