The Secret Ingredient

A Stale Bag of Gummy Bears

Are you a fan of “Chopped”? It’s a reality show on the TV Food Network where contestants try to create a winning dish using a VERY limited list of ingredients. Players whip up a feast with, say, an ostrich egg, two slices of leftover pizza, and a stale bag of gummy bears.

But the premise of the program is really nothing new. Ever hear about the time Jesus challenged His disciples to feed a few thousand folks with just a couple of fish sandwiches (Mk 6:33-44)? But also He gave them a secret ingredient that made it all possible.

(Okay, I need to put all my cards on the cutting board. One, I have NEVER seen a single episode of “Chopped.” Ever. Two, I can’t cook. Fixing a PB&J is a culinary challenge for me. I don’t want anybody think I’m pretending to be Anthony Bourdain. Are we good?)

Trying to Get Away

Before there’s ever any talk of food, we see a rather crazy scene along the beach in the sixth chapter of Mark. Christ and His crew are trying to get away for some needed R&R. They’re in a boat when the crowd suddenly spots them.

“But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them” (v33). In previous chapters, the author has made it clear that Jesus is no longer just some unknown Carpenter from Nazareth. He’s now a total rock star.

Bursting out of the Boondocks

Think Beatlemania. Cheering crowds. Paparazzi. He can’t go anywhere in public anymore. You can bet restaurants and grocery stores are out of the question. Things have escalated quickly for Joe and Mary’s oldest Son.

Jesus has burst out of the boondocks of Galilee to grab headlines with a spectacular series of miracles, healings, exorcisms, and sermons. People are flocking from everywhere to see Him, hear Him, and touch Him. He’s the hottest ticket around.

As a matter of fact, Christ is probably nearing the peak of His popularity. Why do we think so? We’re about to read the ONLY miracle we’ll find in all four Gospels (Mt 14:13-21; Mk 6:33-44; Lk 9:10-17; Jn 6:1-13). An incident getting so much ink must be a big deal, don’t you think?

Who Is This Guy?

Just about everybody in Mark’s Gospel is trying to figure out just who He is. Oh, there are plenty of opinions. Could He be one of the great heroes of the OT like Elijah making an encore (Mk 6:15)? The local Roman ruler comes up with the cockamamie idea that Jesus is actually John the Baptizer back from the dead like some sort of zombie prophet (Mk 6:16).

Evil spirits never have a doubt that they’re up against anyone but “the Holy One of God” (Mk 1:24; 5:7). However He has plenty of doubters. His own mom and closest family members think He’s gone looney (Mk 3:21). Folks in His hometown don’t think He’s anything special (Mk 6:1-4).

Who Does He Think He Is?

Religious power brokers have all sorts of issues with Jesus. Can you believe He actually has the gall to forgive people of sin (Mk 2:6-7)?!? Who does He think He is…God?!? (Boy, are they gonna be surprised!)

And have you seen who He’s hanging out with? There are all sorts of reports of Him partying with the dregs of society (Mk 2:16-17). No self-respecting Sadducee, Pharisee, or scribe would be caught dead hanging out with those losers.

The Hero from Heaven

He refuses to play by any of their self-righteous rules and regs (Mk 2:18, 23-23). The religious elite eventually see Jesus as a such a threat that they accuse Him of playing for Satan’s team (Mk 3:22).

It turns out that His own cousin John is the only one who’s got Him figured out. Before Herod Antipas chops off his noggin, the Baptizer believed beyond the shadow of a doubt that Jesus is the Messiah, the long awaited Hero sent from heaven (Mk 1:7-11).

The Original Low Speed Chase

So when folks see our Savior and His disciples in the boat, they chase them down the beach. While they may not know exactly who He is, they know one thing for certain. He can help them. John tells us it was “because they saw His miraculous signs as He healed the sick” (Jn 6:2).

In case you didn’t already know, motorless boats make terrible getaway cars. I don’t care if you’re paddling like crazy and there’s a stiff wind filling your sails. You’re only going so fast. Forget O.J. in the infamous white Bronco. This is the original low speed chase.

Calling an Audible

It’s at this point that Christ calls an audible. Remember, the original plan was to get away for a little rest and relaxation (Mk 6:31-32). The Lord takes one look at the desperation of the people and His heart breaks.

“Jesus saw the huge crowd as He stepped from the boat, and He had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd” (v34). How huge? We see a little later it’s several thousand people.

The Compassion of Christ

Christ’s compassion exceeds the size of the big crowd.The word we translate as “compassion” (Gr. σπλαγχνιζομαι/splagchnizomai) comes from the Greek root word bowels or intestines. It’s actually where we get “spleen.” In other words, Jesus is moved deep inside by what He sees lakeside.

We saw it earlier in Mark when His godly guts churn as He meets a leper (Mk 1:40). He has the same emotional reaction just before He feeds another big hungry crowd a little later (Mk 8:2).

Jesus’ Heart Breaks

Gospel writers make a point of telling us how our Savior repeatedly responds compassionately to the people He meets. Like when He heals two blind guys (Mt 20:34). His heart breaks when He sees a grieving mother going to bury her son (Lk 7:13).

It’s at the core of His story about the good Samaritan (Lk 10:33). From his prison cell in Rome, Paul feels for his friends back in Philippi “with the tender “compassion” (Gr. σπλαγχνιζομαι/splagchnizomai) of Christ Jesus” (Phil 1:8).

Too Much Valium?

Don’t make the mistake of thinking Christ is some expressionless religious robot. That’s sort of how He’s portrayed in some movies. Almost like He’s popped too much Valium or Xanax.

He has feelings. Deep feelings. He cries (Jn 11:35). He gets angry (Mk 11:15-16). He laughs. Where do we see that in Scripture? I’m not sure you can convince me that His point about walking around with a 2x4 in my eye came from His passion for woodworking (Mt 7:3-5).

Jesus’ Gut Reaction

Jesus cares. No one’s heart breaks more than His you’re going through hard times. It’s a big part of what it means for Him to be Immanuel or God with us (Is 7:14; Mt 1:23). Our Savior is both 100% God and 100% Man 100% of the time. Only God Himself is capable of pulling off this mathematical miracle.

Here’s the big idea. The Son of God’s gut reaction is compassion. Always was. Always is.

Sheep without a Shepherd

What got to Jesus this time is how the crowd had nobody looking out for their best interests. “They were like a sheep without a shepherd” (v24). That’s a First Century way of saying no one’s leading them or protecting them.

A couple of thousand years later, it’s really no different. Without a shepherd, we wander aimlessly. We let culture, peer pressure, and our personal desires determine where we go and what we do.

Sitting Ducks

Without a shepherd, we’re each easy marks for all sorts of predators. We might as well draw a target on our chest and call every one of our enemies so they’ll know we’re a sitting duck.

An Ancient Idea

This is an ancient idea. We actually see it more than a thousand years before Jesus. When Moses realizes he’s going to die, he asks God to give His people a new leaders so they “won’t be like sheep without a shepherd” (Num 27:17).

God Gets Involved

Another time, God blows His holy stack because of Israel’s selfish leaders. He tells Ezekiel, “My sheep have been scattered without a shepherd” (Ezek 34:5). That’s when Yahweh He must get personally involved in leading and protecting His people.

“I will rescue My flock…I Myself will search and find My sheep…I will find My sheep and rescue them…I will bring them back home…I will feed them…I will give them good pastureland…I Myself will tend My sheep…” (Ezek 34:10-16).

The Great Shepherd

It’s the same divine Caretaker King David sings about. “The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews My strength” (Ps 23:1-3).

Jesus pulls no punches and makes it clear He’s that very same heaven-sent Hero. “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd sacrifices His life for the sheep” (Jn 10:11). How good? Well, the writer of Hebrews takes it up a couple of notches when writing about “our Lord Jesus, the Great Shepherd of the sheep” (Heb 13:20).

Caring for the Crowd

The Son of God wastes no time providing the people with guidance. “So He began teaching them many things” (v34). Once again, Jesus unpacks the truth of God’s love for them. It’s a mega-theme in Mark’s Gospel to this point (Mk 1:38-39; 2:13; 4:1-34; 6:2, 6).

Despite His original plans for some time away with His team, Jesus spends the rest of the day caring for the crowd. That’s when some members of the Twelve decide the people don’t have to go home but they can’t stay here.

It’s Been a Long Day

“Late in the afternoon His disciples came to Him and said, ‘This is a remote place, and it’s getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the nearby farms and villages and buy something to eat’” (v35-36).

It’s been a long day. A VERY long day. The boys pull the Boss aside and give Him some advice. Jesus, we’re not sure if you’ve noticed but it’s getting dark and we’re in the middle of nowhere. We’ve got nothing so the best thing is tell them to leave.

Here’s a little tip. Think twice anytime before telling the Lord what to do. As the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, He’s got this. He’s been running the universe long before I showed up. I need to be listening and obeying. Christ doesn’t need a consultant.

Back to Disciples Again

A couple of interesting points about verse 35. First of all, the apostles of Mark 6:30 are suddenly back to being disciples again. Is that a result of getting too big for their apostolic britches?

Notice their description of this “remote place” (v35). It’s the same Greek words the NLT translates as a “quiet place” twice earlier (Mk 6:31-32). Sometimes ερημος/eremos describes a wasteland or desert. But it also can mean a lonely, quiet place of solitude.

First century writers also use the same term when talking about a pasture for grazing livestock. This piece of land isn’t tilled for farming. Keep that idea in your hip pocket. We’ll get back to that in a moment.

You Feed Them

If we flip over to John’s Gospel, he tells us this is actually a conversation with one disciple named Philip (Jn 6:5-7). Jesus asks Phil what he thinks they should do. But the Lord already had a plan. Let’s just say it’s going to be a teachable moment.

“But Jesus said, ‘You feed them’” (v37). Wouldn’t you give anything to see the look on their faces when He said this? You have GOT to be joking, Jesus! “‘With what?’ they asked. ‘We’d have to work for months to earn enough money to buy food for all these people!’” (v37).

The disciples comeback absolutely drips with sarcasm. They take a wild guess that the cost to feed the crowd at 200 denarii. In that day, a denarius is what a blue collar worker earns in a day. It would take one guy working more than six months to come up with that kind of cash.

You Can’t but God Can

Remember, the boys are fresh off their first assignment without the Savior (Mk 6:12-13, 20). He gives them a great chance to put into practice what they’ve learned along the way. Hint: It’s NOT about you. It’s ALL about what Christ can do THROUGH you.

How do you and I react when Jesus gives us a seemingly impossible assignment? What appears to be a lost cause may actually be an opportunity for God. The next time that happens, do what you can and ask God to do the rest. As Mike Lee likes to say, “You can’t. But God can.”

Doing Due Diligence

Maybe they’re hoping He would say, “Just kidding. I’ve got this.” But Jesus isn’t letting them off the hook. He keeps pushing them to make it happen. “‘How much bread to you have?’ He asked. ‘Go and find out’” (v38).

Before we jump to any conclusions, we need to do our research. He wants His disciples to do their due diligence. Look around. Ask around. You might be surprised what God has already supplied.

The boys didn’t even know what they didn’t know. They hadn’t checked to see what people may have with them. Just so you know, a little with Jesus is WAY more than a lot without Him. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Getting off Our Blessed Assurance

Over and over again, our Savior works through us to help others. That’s why He calls the church His body. We’re His hands and feet to accomplish His mission of meeting people’s needs.

It’s the convicting message of Matthew West’s song “Do Something.”

People living in poverty

Children sold into slavery

The thought disgusted me

So, I shook my fist at heaven

Said, “God, why don’t You do something?”

He said, “I did, yeah, I created you.”

If these lyrics don’t get us off our blessed assurance to do something, we’ve got problems.

Taking Inventory

After checking with the big crowd, the boys report back to the Lord. “We have five loaves and two fish” (v38). It kinda reminds me of the scene in “Apollo 13” where the engineers dump everything the crew has on board to work with onto the table.

John tells us how Pete’s brother Andrew finds a little boy who brought his lunch (Jn 6:8-9). Chances are it’s what we call today St. Peter’s fish, a variety of tilapia.

Little More than a Lunchable

The fourth Gospel also specifically says these are small loaves of “barley.” It’s the cheapest bread, only eaten by the poorest of the poor. Not exactly fresh artisanal loaves from that trendy new bakery.

In essence, they have what amounts to a couple of fish sandwiches. It’s little more than a Lunchable. Something tells me, the disciples aren’t exactly feeling optimistic at this point.

The Green Grass of Galilee

But that’s not stopping Christ. “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” (v39-40). “Green grass,” huh? Here in the rolling meadows near the Sea of Galilee, the Shepherd is about to feed His flock.

It Doesn’t Add up

You have to wonder what’s going through the heads of His disciples as they organize the people into various groups to eat. You don’t have to be a math major to realize two fish + five loaves + 20,0000 people just doesn’t add up to dinner.

That’s because they’re leaving out the Secret Ingredient that makes a miracle out of a kid’s meal. A healthy heaping of the Son of God. “Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them” (v41).

An Attitude of Gratitude

The great chefs all have their favorite items to add to recipes. Everything from peanut oil to pickle juice. But that’s nothing compared what Christ cooks up in the kitchen. It’s why David sings, “Taste and see that the LORD is good” (Ps 34:8).

Jesus lifts His face toward His Dad and blesses the humble meal. Flip over to John’s version and he tells us that our Savior “gave thanks to God” (Jn 6:11). Instead of griping about what He doesn’t have, He thanks His Father for what He does have. I think we could learn a big lesson when it comes to an attitude of gratitude.

The Ultimate Giver

The Lord begins with the bread. “Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, He kept giving the bread to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people” (v41). Mark’s choice of words here is fascinating.

When he writes about how Jesus “kept giving,” the author uses a from of the verb describing a continual, non-stop distribution. He keeps giving and giving and giving and giving. We really shouldn’t be surprised. God is ultimate Giver. He gave His Son who gave His life for us (Jn 3:16).

An All-You-Can-Eat Seafood Buffet

If you think what Christ did with the bread is big deal, you ain’t seen nothing yet. “He also divided the fish for everyone to share” (v41). A pair of tilapia suddenly becomes enough for everybody.

Are we making more of this than we should? Did Jesus provide just a bit of finger food? A handful of hors d’oeuvres? A sort of Galilean tapas? Nope. “They all ate as much as they wanted” (v42). The Lord transforms extremely limited resources into an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet so big that it would make the folks at Red Lobster nervous.

A LOT of Leftovers

If that’s not crazy enough, there are leftovers!! “And afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftover bread and fish” (v43). Somehow, someway, they end up with more food after the meal than they had when they started. That’s a LOT of Tupperware!

This is what happens when Jesus is the Secret Ingredient.

A Sellout Crowd at the Garden

Just how large was this seaside picnic? “A total of 5,000 men and their families were fed” (v44). As if 5,000 hungry folks aren’t enough, that’s just the number of men in the crowd. Jesus feeds their families too! We’re talking about at least 15,000-20,000 people…a sellout crowd at Madison Square Garden!!

Shining His Light through Cracked Pots

We need to remember that the Lord loves to do amazing stuff in and through His followers. He transforms our piddly possessions into mammoth miracles. We simply give it to Him and allow Him to do what He does best.

Each time Christ calls us out of our comfort zone, it’s a chance for Him to take center stage. I mean, if I can do it all by myself, how does that point anyone to Him? He loves to shine His light through cracked pots like you an me (2Cor 4:7).

Give it all to God no matter how little you have. Let Him use it. Let Him use YOU. 

Jesus is the Secret Ingredient.

©2017
Jay Jennings