APPLES OF GOLD

When God  tells us  to go into the desert.  When  we  don’t have a wilderness  tabernacle endowment.

The miracle of the five thousand , familiar to all, has a very practical import.  Besides attesting to the dynamic power and divinity of Christ,  it shows us  how God transforms our fatigue and faithlessness.

Grief and fatigue are facets of life few avoid.  As the prophet Job  said, ” man is born  into  trouble as the sparks  fly upward.”  Indeed,  the sorrows of life only multiply in old  age,  Moses  testifying, “the days of our years are threescore years  and ten;  and if by reason of strength  they  are eighty,  yet is their strength labor and sorrow;  For it is soon  cut off, and we fly away.” Ps.90:10

Consider the events prior to this  miracle and we can  see how  the disciples became worn down.

1. Few faithful. Every one rejected the preaching of Jesus, and was unbelieving.  (Mt.13:58)  This Galilean  ministry  was a low point in the ministry, and the disciples, no doubt, started to feel some discouragement.
2. A friend’s death. The greatest prophet among  men  was just slain, leaving  the disciples forlorn.
3. False disciples.The people wanted to follow Him, Jn.6:2, only to see a miracle.  False disciples
4. Empty coffers.  They  just had a preaching tour  and there were no  contributions.  They  were left with  bread and fish.  Of course, there is probably another story going on here with Judas.

The disciples  were at a low point.  How does Christ  raise them  up and reveal Himself  to them? How does He grow their faith and refresh them?

1.They got alone with God,  away  from  the crowds.  

30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”  Mk.6:30-31

Nothing beats a retreat.  It is like  charging  the phone.  If it is on  all day ,  at the end it is dead.  Are we any different?  Even Christ  had to  go into the desert to  spiritually recharge (Mk.1:35)  When  He was touched power- dunamis  left His body( Lk.8:46).  The same happens to us.  We are depleted of God’s sustaining and strengthening grace as we walk in this world.

2. God  forced them to look on the needs of others. 

 As soon as the retreat started, they were interrupted by people needing help.  When  we spend  time with Christ,  and His virtue is with us,  people will reach out.

The disciples  learned to  look on the needs of others, not on their own  needs.  Christ  was moved with compassion here,  the disciples were moved by fatigue.  They  asked Him  to send the people away.  Instead,  He says, “Feed them!”

3. God forced them  to look to Him  and allow others to be involved in the ministry. 
 God put them  in a position  of faith.  They had no money.  They  had to trust God to provide.  They  had no  tabernacle wilderness endowment,  not even two  pennies.  They had no food.  In fact,  the food they  got was from  some little boy.  God used a lad to  feed the disciples and 5 thousand.  

The disciples grew by this experience. They saw God’s provision, being transformed from  grief  into  faith. The next pericope, that is of Peter walking on water, shows they  were transformed,  although  but to a degree.  Having seen the miracle  He takes a step of faith. 

We will be brought into the wilderness of life,  of temptation.  Sometimes all alone,  after having lost  loved ones,  wealth,  family, jobs.  Let us not  turn  back,  but wait for the blessing  and God’s provision.  Then, having seen the hand of the Lord, we will dare by God’s grace to step  out  like Peter and follow Christ miraculously.