Show Don't Tell: Mark 6:30-44

Instead of saying "Jesus fed five thousand people," count the fish. The apostles return from their mission and report everything. Jesus says: "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." So many people are coming and going they don't even have time to eat. They leave by boat for a solitary place, but the crowds see them and run ahead on foot from all the towns. When Jesus lands, he sees a large crowd, and he has compassion on them—sheep without a shepherd. He teaches them many things. Late in the day, the disciples suggest sending them away to find food. Jesus: "You give them something to eat." That would take more than half a year's wages! "How many loaves do you have? Go and see." Five loaves and two fish. Jesus has them sit down in groups on the green grass—a detail suggesting springtime Passover. He takes the five loaves and two fish, looks up to heaven, gives thanks, breaks the loaves. He keeps giving them to the disciples to distribute. Everyone eats and is satisfied. Twelve baskets of broken pieces left over—one for each disciple who thought it couldn't be done. Five thousand men. From five loaves. Abundance from scarcity.