Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” Mark 6:6-11 NIV
As Jesus sends His disciples out to preach the gospel he instructs them to travel light. Whatever they receive from the kindness of others while on their journey is all they will have, and all they will need. The narrative makes it clear that not everyone will welcome them, and support them, but whatever they receive will be enough.
They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them. King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” Others said, “He is Elijah.” And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.” But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!” Mark 6:12-16 NIV
It’s safe to say that their journey was a success! Not only did they preach the gospel but they drove out many demons and watched God heal many people in response to their prayers and anointing. They were so successful that word of their success and their message reached the ears of King Herod.
The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 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.” Mark 6:30-31 NIV
We are not told how long they were gone, but it was long enough to successfully minister from town to town. Long enough to learn that whatever food they had was enough. Whatever money they had was enough. Whatever support they received from others was enough. And now after traveling in groups of two they are all back together, with Jesus sharing stories from their journey. I can only imagine the excitement as they shared testimonies of all that they had watched God accomplish through them! I’m sure they loved sharing their stories with each other and with Jesus! But the need was great, so great that the people were coming from all over to hear the message and to ask them to pray for their healing. They were so busy they didn’t even have a chance to stop and eat. Jesus knew they were tired and He knew that time alone with Him in a quiet place would give them the rest and the strength they needed. That’s still true today. When you and I are tired and need strength, quiet time alone with Jesus is exactly what we need!
So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. Mark 6:32-34 NIV
The need was great! The people were lost, they were like sheep without a shepherd. What does a shepherd do for the sheep? He feeds them, protects them, gently leads them, ensures they have everything they need. When Jesus saw the people, He had compassion on them. He knew His disciples were tired, but His compassion for the people drove Him to keep going. The only break they had from ministering to the people was the boat ride across the lake. If you are involved in any kind of ministry you know how it feels to push through when you are tired. Sometimes we don’t get enough rest, but God always makes sure we have enough.
By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.” Mark 6:35-38 NIV
You sense from this narrative that after their journey of preaching, casting out demons and healing, followed by a full day of ministry, the disciples were ready for a break. They were no doubt exhausted, hungry themselves and expecting Jesus to wrap it up and send the people home. Not only were they tired, but they had no means to feed a crowd of over 5000. Five loaves of bread and two fish were clearly not enough! Hmmm, or were they?
Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand. Mark 6:39-44 NIV
The disciples learned a very valuable lesson that day, and a lesson that is still true today. Jesus is not limited by our resources, and when He is involved, we will always have enough. Whatever food they received on their journey, it was enough! Whatever money they had, it was enough! Whatever support they received from others, it was enough! Whatever time they had, it was enough! Whatever rest they had, it was enough! Whatever resources they had to minister to others, it was enough! They all ate and were satisfied! Whatever you have today, be encouraged, it is enough. Because Jesus is enough!