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MARKed by Jesus: Mark 6:30-56 — 11/24/2025 10:00 AM
Today's speaker is Dr. Thomas White, President of Cedarville University. Dr. White shows us from Mark 6:30-56 that in our hunger, fear, and brokenness, Jesus is enough.
Notes
Sometimes, it seems like we wake up to a new problem or challenge every day. We become anxious about our circumstances, forgetting everything Jesus has done for us in the past. But in Mark 6:30–56, we see that Jesus is enough.
Satisfying Our Hunger
Have you ever waited in excited expectation of something, only to be disappointed when it doesn’t go your way? In verses 30–44, the disciples were likely looking forward to spending time alone with Jesus, but their plan was ruined when a large crowd of people followed them.
When they asked Jesus to send these people away, they had good intentions, understanding that there genuinely wasn’t enough for everybody to eat. In response, Jesus told them to feed them all — a seemingly impossible task. Have you ever believed that you just can’t possibly do something God has called you to do?
The disciples found five loaves and two fish. In John’s version of the story, we are told that they belonged to a young boy. He didn’t have enough, but he had something. He brought his meager resources and set them before Jesus, who did great things with them because He is enough. He does the same with the small contributions we have to offer Him.
The feast with Jesus left everyone satisfied. At the end, Jesus left twelve baskets full: perhaps one for each disciple, to remind them that He is enough.
Calming Our Fears
When Jesus told His disciples to get in the boat, they obeyed and went in the direction He instructed. When we obey Him, we can face difficulty. Yet, He still calls us to obey.
When the disciples saw Jesus walking on water, they were terrified. What Jesus communicated in verse 50 was, “Take heart; I Am.” This was a reference to Exodus 3. Jesus comforted them with His name and His character.
In John’s version of the story, we find that Peter stepped out of the boat to join Jesus on the waves. How many of us would do that? Would we be so afraid to fail that we wouldn’t even try? We have no need to fear that. Your failures do not define you; your relationship with Jesus does. Get back up and keep following Him!
Healing Our Brokenness
Although the disciples had been headed to Bethsaida, they ended up in Gennesaret instead. Sometimes, we think we’re headed to one place when Christ is really going to take us somewhere else. When He redirected their path, they hadn’t failed. They’d gone exactly where He wanted them to go.
When they got out of the boat, He went around healing the sick. When people even touched the fringe of His garment, they were made well. This is what Jesus does for us.
Jesus’s compassion is enough to satisfy our hunger. His power is enough to calm our fears. And His mercy is enough to heal our brokenness. Let us lean into Him, remembering that He truly is enough!