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Mark 6:30-44

³⁰ The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. ³¹ And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

³² And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. ³³ Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them.

³⁴ When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.

³⁵ And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. ³⁶ Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” ³⁷ But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” ³⁸ And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” ³⁹ Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. ⁴⁰ So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. ⁴¹ And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. ⁴² And they all ate and were satisfied. ⁴³ And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. ⁴⁴ And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Jesus is going to take care of you. Everything that you need for this life and for the next, Jesus has, is, and will continue to provide. As I was preparing this sermon, I asked my wife the other day, “What does God care about more, your body or your soul?” She responded well, she said, “I think this is a trick question.” She said she wanted to answer that God cares about her soul more, but she knew that God cares for both. As her pastor, I was proud of her.

We are all tempted to think that God cares more about our soul than our body. But the God who created your soul also created your body. Jesus death on the cross saves you from your sins, but your sins don’t just effect your soul. They also destroy your body. But Jesus came to die on the cross for you – all of you, soul and body. And in this text today, we see Jesus proving that He cares about all of you – soul and body.

The disciples needed a break. Jesus had sent (lit. ‘apostled’) them with authority over unclean spirits. In the power of Jesus, they preach Jesus’ message of repentance and faith. They cast out many demons and healed many who were sick. Now, they are back excitedly telling Jesus everything they had done and taught. Jesus decides that it is time for them to have a break. Jesus says that He is going to make them rest,  “You guys have been working so hard lately, you haven’t even had time to eat. Come away by yourselves to a desert place and rest a while.” Time for a vacay!

Jesus and the disciples hop into the boat and head to their hot, sandy getaway. However, the people noticed. The frenzied fans see where they are going and leg it to the same place. By the time Jesus and the disciples arrive, the red carpet is ready to receive them. You can imagine the disciples’ disappointment. Their vacation in desolation has been ruined. But notice Jesus’ response. He steps out of the boat, sees the crowd, and has gut-wrenching compassion on them. These crowds were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus, God-in-the-flesh, sees this pitiful crowd and doesn’t tell them to wait. He doesn’t dismiss them even for a measly hour while He and the disciples grab a bite. Instead, He immediately begins to teach them. He feeds their souls.

To every person in that crowd, Jesus gave exactly what was needed. Whether they had problems with their marriage, fights with their kids, struggles to make ends meet, death in the family, or fear of what the future might hold, Jesus knew their need. He taught them, and His words fed their souls. When Jesus teaches, He isn’t merely giving facts, not just describing God, not giving steps to a better life, a better marriage, or better relationships with others. Instead, when Jesus teaches, He gives the words of life. In other words, when Jesus teaches the Word of God, He gives Himself. Jesus gives the Law to expose sin for what it is, and He gives the Gospel – the full and complete release of sin. Jesus steps in as Shepherd, and the lost sheep are made into a flock. But Jesus still isn’t done. He is going to take care of their bodies too.

The day is coming to a close, and the disciples are impatient. All that stuff that Jesus had said about getting away has been interrupted. So they say to Jesus, “Hey Jesus, we’re here in this desert. Do You remember why You had us come here? Send the people away. It’s getting late, and this crowd needs to go get something to eat. Tell the people to go and get some food for themselves.”

Recognize that Jesus is going to feed this crowd no matter what. Even if Jesus had sent the crowd away to spend their hard-earned money on food, He still would have been providing for them. The food they could have bought in the markets came from bakers who get their ingredients from farmers whose crops grew because of God’s gracious provision. The fish in that market were brought there by fishermen who caught those fish from the sea that God sustains. Everyone’s food comes from God.

Jesus will feed you today too. Your food doesn’t come from the fridge or the waitress. Your food doesn’t even come from the grocery store or the farm. Your food finally and ultimately comes from God. But God is happy to use middle-men to provide the needs of your body.

Jesus will feed this crowd no matter what. But here He decides cut out the middle man. Jesus commands the crowd to sit down in the green grass. Hear that echo of Ps. 23, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, makes them “lie down in green pastures.” Even though Jesus, the disciples, and the crowd are in a desert place, there is green grass. Don’t miss that part of the miracle. Jesus gives thanks, maybe from Ps. 145:15-16, “The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand; You satisfy the desire of every living thing.” Jesus hands the bread and fish out to the disciples who, in turn, serve that crowd of 5,000 men plus women and children. They feast. There in the desert wilderness is a banquet prepared by Jesus Himself. He is their shepherd, and they do not lack anything good. And neither do you.

The God who daily provides abundantly for all the needs of your life also provides for all the needs of your soul. God gives you everything you need for this life and the next. He provides for all your bodily needs as well as for all your soul’s needs.

Yahweh is your Shepherd. You lack nothing. He makes you lie down in green pastures. He leads you beside still waters. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, He restores your soul. He leads you in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even as you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you fear no evil because you are already delivered from death. God is with you. His rod and staff comfort you. Even in the midst of your enemies, He prepares a banqueting table before you. He anoints your head with oil, and your cup overflows. God’s goodness and mercy pursue you all the days of your life. And because Christ’s death is your death and His resurrection is your resurrection, you will dwell in His house forever. Amen.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.