Mark 6:35-37 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. 36 Send the people away, so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “That would take eight months of a man’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” 
 
DOES God’s word feed you? Sometimes people gather in small groups or certain Sunday school classes for years to study the Bible and other Christian resources. They like being “fed” in God’s truth this way, and they should.
   But too often the group members resist taking what has nourished them into new places to feed others. We can be very uncomfortable going from eating to serving. “What will I feed them? Who will come to eat?” And the banquet hall remains empty.
   Jesus was the disciples’ small group leader. The Living Word had been feeding the scriptures to them. Words of life were filling their minds and nourishing their hearts. Then Jesus determined it was time to send them out to feed others.
   When the Teacher said to the disciples, “You give them something to eat.”  It was time to do what they had learned. Jesus wanted them to learn God’s power was available to them if they faithfully followed what Jesus had taught and done.
   But they responded as each of us would have, “That would take eight months of a man’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” So Jesus helped them understand. He is the good mentor who taught with illustrations and by example. As the story continues, we see how the Lord helped them understand one essential lesson: Learning God’s Word must lead to doing God’s Word.
   One day as the Risen Son of God, Jesus would commission the disciples to serve a banquet that was set to feed the world. To prepare them for their God-sized work, Jesus gave them God-sized tasks. He wanted them to fill them, so they could abundantly fill others.
   As God’s Word feeds you, are you preparing a banquet?  

Mark 6:34 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.
 
WHEN you think of the most influential people in your life who is on that list? Would you include someone who has taught you or mentored you? Likely you would. Very few of us have become who we are without the aid of a good teacher. In addition to expanding our knowledge, one of the many things good teachers do is to correct our errors and misunderstandings.
   Jesus wants you to know correction is a good thing. It’s necessary for your sanctification. One of the sin nature’s many afflictions on our minds is a desire to always be right. We don’t want to hear, “You’re wrong.” But the Bible has numerous teachings to correct the many things that have kept and still keep people from hearing, believing and knowing the true God.
   If you confess Christ and belong to his church, are you willing to hear correction? Or would you rather be a sheep without a shepherd, going your own way?
   And consider this. Are you willing to be a compassionate shepherd? Yes, it’s often difficult. But there are times you see people living in obvious sin. Or they have the wrong understanding of God and the way to heaven. Are you willing to help people see their errors? In Matthew 18:15-17 our Lord teaches a way to correct one who sins against us. He knows sin divides his people. Have compassion to help people know when they are wrong. And likewise, be willing to submit to others who are compassionate to correct you. Good teaching requires the truth.
   We can be absolutely certain Jesus was on the disciples’ list as the most influential person in their lives. I pray that this is true for you. As you may want to know more of God and his plan for your life, please know you have the same transforming, life-shaping teacher as the disciples.
   Think of that: You are as precious to Jesus as the first 12. He does not want you to be without a shepherd, lost and unsure of what to do. No, he is your compassionate Shepherd, who sent the Counselor to help you grow toward his perfect Father. Find joy in your learning. Helps others do the same.  

Mark 6:33 But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them.
 
ARE you running to Jesus? The people of Galilee ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of Jesus and his disciples. They ran to Jesus’ next preaching and healing place. They were excited! They had heard his preaching and had seen his healing. They wanted more! Many likely invited friends and family. God’s power was raining over the land. A dry and thirsty people were drinking in his reviving, renewing love.
   We thank God this was just the beginning of a great desire for God’s Word in many places since that day. Remember, his Spirit is over the earth today, just as he was at creation. He indwells all who believe, and his power quickens millions of hearts to know God’s Word. There are countless times when God has stirred thousands of people to fill streets, auditoriums, stadiums and hillsides, so his people hear and live God’s Word.
   The Spirit has also done a mighty work of revival in many places. For example, in the early 1800’s a revival began in the U.S. on a college campus with one small Bible study. This faithful work exploded into thousands of students on many campuses confessing Christ. Again in New York City in 1857, the great Fulton Street revival broke out from one small prayer group. It grew to be an expansive noon-time prayer gathering throughout the city as people filled churches and auditoriums. Some even stood in the street because the rooms were full. In 1904 a great revival swept through Wales, changing the culture to the point the police and courts had no criminals to prosecute!
   Throughout the world today people are running to Jesus. In our limited view of Jesus’ church, we might see the church becoming smaller. But it’s not. Our Lord continues to build his church on the rock of the gospel. And Hades will not overcome it. (Matthew 16:18)
    How do you run to Jesus today? You utilize his means of grace, don’t you? The Bible is God’s map to guide you into a true relationship with him. The Holy Spirit helps you understand the Bible. A regular time of praying, listening to God’s Word taught and reading good books are some ways you can go to Jesus, ready to learn and grow in faith.
   This running to Jesus is called sanctification.. As Father, Spirit and Son, God has shown us through his Word that he is an active God, continually moving forward. He calls you the follow him, so you can be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48)
   Jesus warned there are many who want to draw you into their philosophies or self-proclaimed truth. In his magnificent love, Jesus preached that you must pursue only God’s perfection. He has given you the means to know the right way. May the Spirit guide your running to the Son.

Mark 16:12-20 Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. 13 These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either. 14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. 15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” 19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
 
THE disciples were not ready to be apostles. Their first responses to news of Jesus’ resurrection was doubt and even ridicule of the messengers. Although Jesus had twice (Matthew 16 and 17) told them he would suffer, die and rise, they did not believe. They disobeyed God’s Word just as Israel had for centuries. In response, Jesus rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
   And then what did he do? He commissioned and commanded them to make disciples. He sent these men who were weak of faith to do the work that required extraordinary faith. He used them to do what he had done – to heal and perform life-changing signs. Jesus’ messengers were commissioned to demonstrate God’s salvation had come into the world.   
   Jesus, the Good Shepherd, sent help: John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of Truth. Through his Spirit the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus transformed these doubting, disobedient men into the foundation of his church. Ephesians 2:19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.  
   We can look at the 12 apostles (Matthias was added in Acts 1:26) and ask, “Can we do these things now? Are we able to wage war against demons, disease and doubt as the Spirit-empowered apostles?” The truth is, we must. The world is still needs salvation.
   We have the same power to do God’s work as the apostles. God is the same. The Spirit is still active, indwelling all who believe, helping all who obey Jesus’ commands. We must have the faith to know and trust that in the Spirit’s power, Jesus’ commands are fulfilled. God’s will is done on earth.