In Mark 6 Jesus fed a crowd of 5,000 men with only five loaves and two fish.

Before he did so, the disciples had wanted to send the people away so they could get some food. That’s when Jesus looked at them and said, “You give them something to eat” (verse 37).

In the Greek, the “you” is in the emphatic position, meaning that it has specific emphasis. On our computers today we would put it in italics. With that in mind, let’s read that sentence again. “You give them something to eat.”

One of the many things happening in this story is an invitation for the disciples to move from observation to participation. 

Jesus had been doing incredible things: teaching about the kingdom of God, healing people, raising the dead, casting out demons and stilling storms. All of these carried a certain ‘wow factor.’ Because of that it would have been tempting to sit back and watch the Jesus show.

Although the presence and power of Jesus is most certainly the most critical factor, discipleship isn’t about sitting back. Following Jesus isn’t just about believing and learning—it’s also about doing.

This is instructive for us today. Let’s believe, but also live differently because of that belief. Let’s learn, but also apply our learning. Let’s trust Jesus, but also do the things he tells us to do as his hands and feet.

What was true then is also true now. It’s not just about observing, but doing.

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Notes and extra content:

–“2 Tips for Personal Peace in a New Year.” The first is obvious, the second will need a bit of explanation. Click here, or find it on ‘The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan’ wherever you subscribe (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc).

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.