Play Your Role

Mark 6 : 30 – 44 - Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

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.”

32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. 33 But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 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.

35 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 that 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 more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”

38 “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”

When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”

39 Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41 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. 42 They all ate and were satisfied, 43 and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. 44 The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.”

This passage in the Gospel of Mark is a great reminder of how Christ served his people. It starts with Jesus encouraging the disciples to have a rest. What a lovely reminder that after a ‘busy’ day we need rest (sometimes I think we should use that verse as a reminder to stop and rest! Just like the joy of a long weekend allows us to do).

However, just when the disciples find a quiet place, Jesus has pity on the people, “They were like sheep lost,” and he sees an opportunity to serve and display his power and faith.

What a wonderful illustration and example of God being able to do this through you and me also. Firstly, we need to model to our children the need for rest and ‘down time’. Then we also need to be examples to them in being willing to serve when the opportunity arises, even if it interrupts our plans. Imagine a generation of children impacting our nation because they are willing to serve humbly!

I have seen this kind of service in and around the DCS community. Amongst the busyness meals are being prepared, acts of service are being offered and coffees are being made, just to name a few. I heard recently the reminder that:

'Children learn and imitate behaviors by watching and listening to others.... Children learn from role models all around them. Even from role models on their devices, screens, shows, movies, sports, in the shops, at school and at home.

Children and young people learn from watching us.'

When we read this, we realise as parents that we want them to be imitators of great examples. For that, we need to check who those role models are. I was speaking with one of my children just this past week who explained to me something 'odd' they do. As they explained it to me, I simply replied, 'Oops, you get that from me! That is exactly what I do!'

Even for us as adults we need to self-check our own habits, rituals and sayings we are reflecting to those around us. We are a role model, daily, to someone who is watching.

Have a blessed and wonderful week.

Chad

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