The two events recorded in this section of Mark’s gospel have often been misread, mispreached, and misapplied. The first is how Jesus feed the 5000 with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish, and the second is how Jesus calmed the sea while walking on the water. You can hear it, can’t you? You are even now picturing yourself in church the Sunday morning you first heard these texts preached and you remember the pastor’s exhortation that Jesus will calm the storms in your life or provide for you if you will but only trust and obey.
But I think that there is something else going on this text. In fact, the two accounts belong together. They’re really one and and same pericope. The reason being is that the two stories, which are really one, are Mark’s version of the theology the Good Shepherd. Ostensibly, Psalm 23 stands in the background of his account. Let me explain.
In vv. 7-13 of Chapter 6 Jesus sends out the apostles to preach and minister to the household of Israel. In v. 30 we see their return. They are tired and they are exhausted. Jesus exhorts them to go away to an isolated area to rest for a while (v. 31). So, they all get on a boat and seek a quiet place (v. 32). However, there will be no rest for the apostles and Jesus – the crowds recognize them and follow them! Like a popular rock band running from the paparazzi, Jesus could have lead the disciples away from the crowds and flee into hiding. But he doesn’t do that. Instead, our Lord has compassion on them (v. 34). And we are told by Mark the reason why Jesus had compassion on them – “they were like sheep without a shepherdâ€.
In vv. 35-36 the disciples ask Jesus to send the crowd away. They are tired, its getting late, and Jesus has promised them some respite. But our Lord will not send them away – no, but he tells the disciples to feed them! And this is just about enough for them. You can hear the frustration and the crankiness in their voice: “are you really expecting us to spend 200 denarii on bread to feed all these people, we don’t have that kind of money!†(v. 37). This is where Jesus tells them to take the bread and fish and distribute it to the crowds who are now gathered on “the green grass†(v. 39) – a striking detail for Mark here to include. In deed, Jesus is their shepherd, they shall not be in want, for he makes them to lie in green pastures and he prepares a table for them. For these sheep – under the guidance of the Good Shepherd – eat until they are satisfied (v. 42).
But that is not all. Jesus finally dismisses the crowd, and he gets the disciples back on the boat to get them to their place of rest and relaxation. But they will not get it – yet. They row, and row, and row but can make no head way (v. 48). It is here that the Good Shepherd walks on the water to them and he calms the winds and the sea for them. And once again, we see the pastoral work of the Good Shepherd as he leads his sheep by quiet waters. He feeds them, he leads them, he satisfies them, he provides for them still waters and green pastures. They are like sheep without a shepherd for the false leaders of Israel are wicked shepherds. But he is the Good Shepherd.
No, this passage is not about sharing your food with others, or about the storms of your life being calmed, or God providing for you in a pinch. Those things are true, but not true from this passage. Rather, this passage is about Jesus – not you. This passage is filled with Christological richness and eschatological significance. God, the Lord, Jehovah of Israel – He is here. He has come. He has come in human flesh to make good on all his promises. To make good on Psalm 23 and Ezekiel 34. The God-man has come to be the final and ultimate righteous/good Shepherd of his sheep. And it is through his voice – in the Word read and preached – that he gathers together his sheep that they may never be lost sheep without a shepherd. And yes, even now, he leads us by quiet waters even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. And we will not fear because he has walked through that valley already ahead of us. And he had defeated that valley. He had overcome that shadow. And now we look forward to dwelling in the house of the Lord forever.
Great post Jim … very insightful and encouraging!