Kingdom Business (iii)

Continuing our series of Kingdom Business, today we delve into the value of the brethren and the role community plays in one’s fruitfulness. In Mark 6:34, we read, ‘And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.’ Like many others, this scripture underscores how compassion was the propelling force in the ministry of Jesus, many times we have seen that it is compassion that preceded some of His biggest miracles. This scripture also serves as a powerful reminder that just as sheep require a shepherd, spiritual guidance is essential for a believer’s growth. A thriving ministry is not just about growth in numbers, but also about the nurturing of quality disciples through systematic teaching. Teaching is the bedrock that lays the foundation for understanding; and it is absolutely vital for us to comprehend the principles of the Kingdom so we can stand firm on the day of adversity. Isaiah 28:10 reinforces this message, saying, ‘For precept must be upon precept … line upon line … here a little, there a little’; there is no replacing or understating the teaching ministry in the life of a believer.

Reading further from Mark 6, we learn that this story unfolds in a remote and deserted location, far from the city (vs.35). This is the nature of the gospel, it separates and draws a clear wedge, and as disciples, we must not become overly entangled with the affairs of the world, but instead prioritize and focus on Kingdom business. If we are in the world, we should be present as light, as thought leaders and Kingdom pioneers, not as part of the crowd under mass deception. As the Lord Jesus taught the multitude, the disciples urged Him, ‘Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat’ (vs.36). But Jesus responded, “You give them something to eat” (vs.37a), placing the responsibility back on the disciples. When Jesus assigns us a task or responsibility, He knows we can handle it – but we think we are insignificant and have not come to the full understanding of who we are in Christ. The disciples in turn replied, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?” (vs.37b), implying that they indeed had the means to buy food for the multitude. However, despite the disciples having resources, Jesus wanted them to address the issue right there and then. He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see. And when they found out they said, “Five, and two fish” (vs.38). This should be the attitude of every disciple; at no point should we concede to lack or to inadequacy, we must always look within and discover what it is that we hold in our hands that we can use to do mighty work that advances the Kingdom. Often, we may perceive what we have as insignificant compared to the magnitude of the task at hand, yet Jesus desires the very little we have, for He is able to make something out of nothing.

Continuing along this passage, the Lord Jesus commands the disciples to sit the multitude down in groups on the grass (vs.39). In the kingdom, obedience to His commandments is non-negotiable and the integration into a godly community is not optional – LIFE GROUP IS A MUST! Reading on, we observe that the multitude did not merely sit down in groups; rather ‘they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties’ (vs.40). This also shows the importance of discipline and structure in the church, because in the Kingdom, all things must be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40). ‘And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all’ (vs.41). Jesus looked up towards Heaven, recognizing and acknowledging the one true source – God. This is a profound lesson for us as believers; our focus and trust should always be on God as our ultimate source. Just as Jesus blessed the Father for the loaves and fish, we too should bless God, expressing gratitude for what we have. Multiplication begins with gratitude; what we offer in gratitude, God can abundantly multiply. Conversely, if we perceive what we have as insufficient, we will remain in that lack. After breaking the bread, Jesus gave it to the disciples to distribute to the multitude, and the Bible tells us that ‘they all ate and were filled’ (vs.42). Not only were they all filled, but there was an overflow, such that the disciples ‘took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish’ (vs.43). Hallelujah! What a miracle!

Finally, as we reflect on the practices of the early church, we witness the transformative power of the breaking of bread, that is, the Word of God. Acts 2:42 recounts how all the believers gladly received His Word, were baptized, and ‘continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.’ These believers embraced a unified doctrine, and we know how good and pleasant it is unto the Lord when we dwell together in unity (Psalm 133:1). This kind of unity allows us to experience miracles and partake in the grace of the house. The believers also continued in the breaking of bread, reminiscent of the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand in Mark 6. This early church model of ‘continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house …’ (Acts 2:46) teaches us the power of unity and community. Life groups are integral to this strategy of the believers’ growth and development. In these intimate settings, we cultivate skills and qualities applicable to all aspects of life. So, church, let’s embrace life group and cherish those relationships with the brethren, recognizing the value they add to our lives and our walk with God.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for reminding us of the importance of community in Kingdom matters. Teach us, Holy Spirit, to prioritize Kingdom business over the concerns of this world, and to embrace the systems necessary for our spiritual growth. We are grateful for unity and fellowship in the church, for the transformation that comes from breaking bread together, and for the strengthening of our relationships with the brethren. In Jesus’ name. Amen.