A reflection by Hetty Stok on Mark 6:30-44.

It’s been a busy morning. We started with a debriefing, telling Jesus what’s been going on. The teaching, the healing, the people. Oh, the people! They just keep coming! I was relieved when Jesus suggested going over the lake to a quiet field and just relax for a spell. But from the water we could see the crowds following us along the shoreline. My heart sank; couldn’t we have a moment to ourselves?

As we stepped onto the shore the people caught up with us. Jesus kept walking as if he could shake them off, or perhaps hoping they would realise we wanted some time away from them. I know that’s what the rest of us were hoping.

No he wasn’t walking from them. He was leading them. He wasn’t trying to shake them off. He was gathering them closer. When we reached the quiet green-grassy hill where we should have had our restful afternoon, Jesus directed the crowd to sit. Then he taught them. Not the “rules and regulations” kind of teaching you can usually get from the rabbis, but stories. Stories about ordinary folk – shepherds, widows, arguing brothers and the like. My favourite was the good shepherd one. Imagine leaving 99 sheep and going off after one stupid lamb! I guess it’s like that Psalm King David wrote – the good shepherd will always care for his sheep; even the stupid little ones.

Well, I reckon it’s time to send this lot home. It’s getting onto dinner time and if they’re like us they won’t have had lunch either. Peter is talking to Jesus. I can’t believe it! He wants us to feed everyone!

James is scouting around in case someone’s brought enough food for 5000 people. Well that’s not going to happen. He comes back with a meager 5 loaves and 2 fish, and hands them to Jesus. As if it were a banquet spread out for a king, Jesus holds them up to the sky and thanks God for the bounty.

I’m calculating that every man woman and child might get a crumb each and they’ll probably start a riot to get that much.
Jesus gives me a handful of bread – no, it’s more than an armful. I walk among the people who calmly take what they need. Some take a bit more, and when I get back to Jesus he again fills my arms with provisions. The people have eaten all they want. Now they are lounging in the grass patting their bellies with satisfaction. “No thanks mate,” they say, as we collect the leftovers and bring it back to Jesus.

Jesus, like a shepherd, lead us.
Much we need thy tender care.
In pleasant pastures feed us.
All our sin and grief to bear.

Today I was a stupid little lamb. I started well – focused on Jesus, following him, listening to him. But I wandered: I focused on myself – my need for rest, my hunger, me, me, me. I stopped listening even when He was speaking loudly with His actions. I was hungry even when I had my arms full of food. Lord, forgive me my blind stupidly. Hook your shepherd’s staff around my neck and bring me close to you again. Because that’s where I want to be.
Amen

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One of my favourite characters in literature is Don Quixote. He is noble, idealistic and foolish. On his beloved Rocinante he would fight for the honour of his elusive Dulcinea and look for any means to show his chivalry. I would like to suggest that these are great qualities for a Christian. Every Christian should have a large dose of Don Quixote.

Foolishness: It was a trait Jesus had. He didn’t follow the established values and tenets of his era. He was considered foolish at best and dangerous at worst. I see modern churches following business models and strategies which seem wise and savvy. But would Jesus do it this way? I doubt it. He invested in time with His father and with his disciples. He didn’t choose the “high capacity people” as I saw it described recently, (thanks to “A Twisted Crown of Thorns) but he selected ignorant fishermen and social outcasts. As Christians we need to ask ourselves constantly, are we following Christlike methods or worldly methods? Do we and our churches have a spirit of Christ inspired foolishness?

Noble: “Noble” can defined as putting others first and counting ourselves last. This counters everything that the advertising industry throws at us. “You are the most important person in the world.” “You deserve it.” To be noble is to deny oneself for others. It is agape, sacrificial, love. It is another sign too, of our foolishness. Don Quixote was driven by his chivalrous desire to be noble – so should we.

Don and Pieter

Idealistic. I have often been accused of being idealistic, as though it is a disease or sin. Idealism is that quality where we always aim for that elusive and impossible “best,” particularly in the area of human and spiritual values. That “best” is never achievable in this life, but it is what we are aiming for. This is in direct contrast to the pragmatism of our age. Businesses, politicians and many marriages and families are based on the principle of pragmatism -“whatever works”. If it doesn’t work – we jettison it. This can include husbands, wives, children and employees. Our Lord wants what is best: Sinless children (in Christ) invited into an eternity with Him to serve and praise Him. Our aim, this side of heaven, is to prepare for that.

Are we prepared to be objects of ridicule for God, despised and rejected by others? If your answer is “yes” you are not only like Don Quixote but, more importantly, like Jesus.

One of my favourite Mark Twain quotes is:

For me this process of learning hasn’t finished even though now I am probably older than Mark’s father was. I am continually amazed how much wisdom older people have. The tragedy is, that unlike mark Twain, we as a society have been failing to listen to the our seniors for many years.

Readers of my blog know that I am a passionate advocate for young people but I am also an advocate for those who have experienced much and have wisdom to offer. Yes I have come across a few old fools who make sure that everybody knows their opinion – ad nauseum. But there are many more older people who have a quiet and experience wrought wisdom which has been nurtured through faith. All we need to do is ask. We have to ask because too often they have been told their opinion is not worth anything.

Job 12:12 asks

Is not wisdom found among the aged?
Does not long life bring understanding?

Think of the questions we need to ask our elders:

And there are many, many more questions. If we don’t ask, we won’t find out. If we don’t find out, we will be the poorer.