Nov 4, 2025 @ YWAM Kona w AL & Rebecca Henry
While Allen was flipping through pages in the book of Luke, he came across the phrase that says people were amazed by teachings of Jesus. It was then the Holy Spirit pressed on his heart, “Allen, why are you not amazed by my teaching?” The voice of God wrecked him as he realized he was no longer reading the Bible in a relational context, but information like reading stories as if it were someone else’s story. With no compassion, with no love, it’s hard to read stories by putting in their shoes yourself.
Supper for Five Thousand
30-31 The apostles then rendezvoused with Jesus and reported on all that they had done and taught. Jesus said, “Come off by yourselves; let’s take a break and get a little rest.” For there was constant coming and going. They didn’t even have time to eat.
32-34 So they got in the boat and went off to a remote place by themselves. Someone saw them going and the word got around. From the surrounding towns people went out on foot, running, and got there ahead of them. When Jesus arrived, he saw this huge crowd. At the sight of them, his heart broke—like sheep with no shepherd they were. He went right to work teaching them. Mark 6:30-34 MSG
34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. Mark 6:34 ESV
Compassion compels you to ask one question to oneself, ‘What can I do?” Often we miss what God is doing because we ask wrong questions. It’s not what I can’t do, but more about what I can do for God. From something small like pigeon to alabaster jar, everyone has something to offer.
35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. 36 Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” Mark 6:35-37 ESV
Why did Jesus tell His disciples to do so? The response from His disciples make sense to me. In God’s character, God never ask us for something we do not have. Just like the parable of 3 faithful servants. The one with one talent had a misunderstanding of who God is, and that made the master upset because the master wanted his servant to know him. God never forces us to do anything or manipulate us.
38 And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” Mark 6:38 ESV
Clearly, Jesus knew the disciples did not have enough. Even though He knew, why did He ask them to check? He wanted the encounter for them to realize they’re out of their cups whether it’s emotional, mindful, physical, spiritual, etc. Everything hit the rock bottom. God wanted to humble them in such a meek and gentle way for them to ask God to provide. For them to position themselves in the position of receiving. This is because God wants you to be part of the story.
39 Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. Mark 6:39 ESV
God is not going to waste any of your pain, time or anything. He uses, collects everything about you in the middle of the nights.