What Jesus Did! 'Unlimited Resources!' — Mark 6:39-42

Friday, April 19, 2024

Then Jesus told the disciples to have the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of fifty or a hundred.

Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. He also divided the fish for everyone to share. They all ate as much as they wanted, ...

— Mark 6:39-42 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus' disciples were concerned about the physical needs of the crowd following Jesus and realized they didn't have the resources to meet those needs. [1] Now, however, Jesus shows them the unlimited resources of God when they place what is available in the hands of the Lord. Jesus took their meager meal of five loaves and two fish and made it more than sufficient, as we will see in the next verses; he made it into more than was needed. Now the Lord looks to you and me and asks us to offer our resources to him so he can bring us the blessing and the provision of God.

[1] Mark 6:35-37.

Today's Prayer

O glorious Father in heaven, I believe, but help my unbelief. Help me offer my limited resources to you so that they will be made more than sufficient to do your work and minister to those in need. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

2 Related Resources by Heartlight

Hands-on Provision
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"[After Jesus blessed the five loaves and two fish and had them distributed, the people] all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples....."
It's All About People!
Article by Phillip Morrison
Through the years and all the changes, one thing remains true about the heart of God. Phillip Morrison reminds us in the shadow of Independence Day about the many inconsistencies when principles are first applied, yet he also urges us to be patient and gracious and open to the needs of all people.

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 6:39-42 NLT — They all ate as much as they wanted, ...

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, April 19, 2024

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by François Fénelon:
"There is never any peace for those who resist God."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: 1 Corinthians 11:24
"It seems then, that Christians may forget Christ! There could be no need for this loving exhortation, if there were not a fearful supposition that our..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Core Gospel'
"Dear Beloved, Yesterday, I used parts of one of Paul's letters to the Corinthian Christians to emphasize the authenticity of the gospel message...."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Verification by the Spirit' (Acts 8:14-17)
"When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God's message, they sent Peter and John there. As soon as they arrived,...."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!