Feeding the 5,000

 The 12 disciples ... commissioned / sent out / returned / hear of John's death
Now ... Jesus popularity is at it's peak ... enhanced by the disciples (now not just one working doing, but 6 sets plus Jesus)

So... Mark 6:30-34 - Jesus in Galilee (country folks, where He was from)
Note:  (apostles reported all they had done AND taught)  Teaching was primary
Matt. & Luke add "healing" - Luke 9:11
R & R - around 4 miles across lake, but 10 miles on foot.

Mark 6:35-38 - (200 dinari {some translations} = 8 months of man's wage
John adds "little boy" - John 6:8-9

Mark 6:39-44 - 5,000 men (Matt. adds "besides women and children") = huge crowd

Question:  Where did the miracle take place??
Answer:  (many literal translations) "He broke and kept on giving" - happens in the hands of Christ

Question:  What's He mean 'sheep without a shepherd?
Answer = no proper leadership, guidance - Note:  sheep = followers of Christ
Example:  1 Kings 22:17

NOTE:  Jesus' reaction - "He had compassion on them" - which = He Sees - He feels - He Acts!!
Therefore He taught - He healed - He fed 
This = Biblical compassion

But... before He fed them ... Mark 6:37 - "you give them to eat"
Disciples response not calloused, rather = helpless!!! - "What can we do?!?"

Answer follows ... which = This is more than a miracle.  This is a lesson for followers of Christ!!

How to feed a multitude with a little lunch!
ie:  (make a big splash when just a little frog!  big bang when small firecracker!)

Example:  M.A.D. - Make a Difference.   M.A.E.D. - Make an Eternal Difference. - the only way to make an eternal difference is to make a difference in people.  They are all that is eternal.

#1.  See the need.  (ie:  be open, alert, sensitive,,,)
needs are more than physical ... needs needn't be big!!

#2.  Accept the responsibility  ("you give them to eat") 
Jesus covered that day ... but now He's gone (physically)
BUT, 'sheep' are still with us!!

Note:  you can't meet all the needs!  You CAN meet some of the needs!

#3.  Count your loaves - Mark 6:38 - "go and see / assess what available
You have spiritual gifts and abilities
They are given to you to use!! - 1 Cor. 12:7

The focus shifts from what you don't have ... to what you do have!!!

#4.  Present them to Christ 

#5.  Follow His instructions - ie:  do what HE tells you to do!!
This doesn't require a special voice, is plenty in the WORD to instruct us!! - 1 Pet. 4:10

#6.  Accept the results
You man not see results ... doesn't mean they are not there!!

#7.  Do it all over again (and again...)
Because sheep and needs are there until Christ returns

Objection!!  (1)   I don't know my gifts!  my calling!
Answer:  that is not necessary!! Just go and meet needs....
      (A)  with the help of Christ...
      (B)  as He gives opportunity! 
Ask Him - He will give direction as He sees fit.

Objection!  (2)   I'm not a leader! 
Answer:  neither was this (un-named) boy!!  - (who is he? parents? where from? - nothing about him)
              neither were the disciples at this point!

Your faith is not to be in Your own abilities, gifts, etc.
Your faith is to be in Him!  His goodness.
                                        His faithfulness
                                        His Power
God is not calling you to make a difference.  He's calling you to be an instrument through which HE can make a difference!!

Important Distinction
We are called to feed the sheep....
But.... we answer to the Master!! - John 21:15-17

Sheep need care, but the primary thing is to respond to (follow) Christ.