Live Like It's True {Bible Podcast}

Has Jesus Asked You to Participate in a Multiplying Miracle? {Jenn Hand}

• Shannon Popkin • Season 1 • Episode 6

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Has Jesus asked you to give more than you have, today? Maybe you're stressed out, overwhelmed or burned out, and you just don’t have enough to do what Jesus has assigned to you today. I

f that’s you, I’m glad you’re joining us for this episode, because we’re going to talk about a situation where Jesus’s disciples were feeling exactly like that. Jenn Hand is joining me to talk about Mark 6, and a story of Jesus multiplying what little the disciples had. 

What would change if you live like this story is true? 

Guest: Jennifer Hand
Bible Passage: Mark 6:30-44
Freebie:  Live Like It's True Workbook 
Resources:

Music: Cade Popkin Music 

Jenn Hand is the Executive Director of Coming Alive Ministries. She’s an author, a speaker, and the host of the podcast “Coming Alive Conversations”. She has a master’s degree in trauma counseling and she travels around the world, doing trauma debriefing in the wake of natural disasters.  Jenn loves to invite you to laugh with her and experience the love of Jesus, as you do. (Just wait till you hear her “Beans and Rice Story”!)

Find more from Jenn:

The Feeding of the 5,000
The True Story of the Feeding of the Five Thousand is found in Mark 6:30-44. It's an astonishing story of not having enough and Jesus multiplying what they did have to satisfy everyone. How can we live like this story is true?

Share the Story 
Were you amazed by you amazed by Jenn’s story about—in her missions training, going through the Stories of Hope Workbook? I compared sharing these Bible stories, one at a time, with leaving “bread crumbs” for her friend—which lead to Jesus.  Would you be willing to share just one story (a bread crumb?) with a friend who doesn’t yet know Jesus?  Pray for His direction.

Live the Story

Jesus multiplied what they had. What little amount do you have? What is God asking you to place in his hands, knowing that He can multiply it if He wants? 

Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more. 

Get your free False Narrative Watchlist. 

Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

Speaker 1:

I would gather my little friends and we would have a little Bible songs and tell the stories. And even at eight years old I knew that I had in me this calling to teach about this word. that was so exciting to me and such a story of love and adventure And I just couldn't wait even I ate to tell people all about it.

Speaker 2:

So right, well, and I mean, the best thing about it is that it's true. Right, it is a true story. I mean, we can read other adventure stories, but nothing is quite as packed with adventure as this true story the Bible And I love that. You love it as much as I do. So we're going to talk about a story in the Bible where there was not enough food, and I just want to give you a chance to tell a story. I think you have a story about some kids in Haiti and not having enough food. Would you tell us that story, jen?

Speaker 1:

Yes, I will, And I have grown up hearing this story from the pages of the Precious Moments Bible until now but a few years ago, i got to experience what I believe was my getting to see a small piece of this type of miracle that Jesus can do. And we were in Haiti and in this particular village in Haiti, they looked forward to us coming. Every year There would be hundreds of kids, kind of like 500, 600 kids, and just crowd upon the church, and we had like five volunteers, you know. So I mean talk about you know a little. We could be overtaken, but the kids were so full of joy and excitement. They looked all year towards this moment And one of the reasons was we provided rice and beans for them to eat a meal there, and many, many of them had not had full meals in ever.

Speaker 1:

You know, there was such hunger, such lack, such physical desperation that means. So my job was the one. They had these big vats of rice and beans cooked by the beautiful church ladies there, and my job was to. They would play music and they go row by row And I was to dip out a certain amount. The spoon was hot. I remember the steam was coming up. I can still smell it and picture it And then, but what I really picture was those hungry, desperate faces as we would fill plates, pass them out.

Speaker 1:

And we had the situation where way more kids came than we knew would come and we were coming down to the bottom of the pot And I could not imagine sending those kids home without food. So I remember my friend and I laid our hands over that pot of beans and rice which barely had anything left in it. We still had a couple of hundred kids to go and we just prayed God, you are the God who multiplied the food to feed 5,000. You can do this today. And we just kept dipping and more rice and beans kept. That pot did not go empty. And then what's really cool is we had a special needs camp for adults that had special physical and emotional and mental handicaps And they were coming later that afternoon and expecting food and we were able to give them leftover baskets to go, just like in the story where, when God took little, oh my goodness, you can do much. So yes, i got to see it before my very eyes. I multiply what we had.

Speaker 2:

That is amazing. Thank you so much for sharing that story. Like these true stories are still happening. Our God is the same God. The God that we encounter in the Bible is the God that we encounter still today.

Speaker 2:

And I imagine that after a trip to Haiti or Colombia or wherever you've been, you're kind of tired, too right, you're a little bit exhausted. And when, even after you experience a miracle, like that picture coming back and you've just had this beans and rice miracle before your very eyes And then somebody needs something from you and you're exhausted and you're spent, that's kind of the feel that I get with the disciples in our story in Mark, chapter 6. And I'm going to have you read it in just a minute. But it starts out by saying that they've returned to Jesus, and so this comes right after their big two by two ministry trip.

Speaker 2:

You know they've all split up into groups of two. They're going out into the cities around the area and they're sharing about Jesus and they're doing miracles, they're healing people and they're casting out demons. They come back and they're just tired, they're just exhausted, they're excited, they're very excited, but they're just exhausted And then more is going to be demanded of them in this time of of exhaustion. So, jen, would you read Mark chapter 6, verse 30 through 44?.

Speaker 1:

I would be glad to. It says the apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest awhile, for many were coming and going and they had no leisure even to eat And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognize them and they ran their own foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.

Speaker 1:

And when it grew late his disciples came to him and said this is a desolate place and the hour is now late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat. But he answered them you give them something to eat. And they said to him shall we go and buy two hundred in their eye worth of bread and give it out to them to eat? And he said to them how many loaves do you have? Go and see. And when they found out they said five and two fish. Many commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups by hundreds and by fifties and, taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and set a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people And he divided the two fish among them all and they all ate and were satisfied And they took up 12 baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.

Speaker 2:

So you know, like I said, the context is they're tired, They've come back from a ministry journey and he says you know, let's go away to a desolate place to rest awhile. And, Jen, have you ever experienced that after an extreme time of ministry, you just need to get away with Jesus?

Speaker 1:

Oh, 100 percent. Yes, i mean, i'm an extrovert to the max So I love, love, love, being with people. So I have to remind myself that you need to recharge, come away with the Lord. And so I have learned along the way I do two different things, because a lot of times I see really hard things on the trips I go on And so often when I come back, the first thing I do is go to my sister's house, which has four kids and a dog and a husband, you know. So it is not quiet, but I recharge, have some fun there, and then I come to my house and I just rest and turn everything off and just rest, and this is not just for ministry. I think life is so busy and being connected at all times to all the people and feeling the need to respond, your phone ringing your, you know, we have our watches now that tell us all the things, and I just remind myself all the time, because I love life.

Speaker 1:

I want to drink it up to the full, but it's like if Jesus had to come away and rest. So Do you.

Speaker 2:

Yes, exactly Now. I think I might not be quite as much of an extrovert as you, because by the end of a speaking retreat, when I've been pouring out or giving, i just picture myself at the end. I've just spoken, you know, maybe the fourth or fifth time over a weekend and I'm at my merch table and there's a line of people And I still want to connect with them.

Speaker 2:

but I am so looking forward to you know, just getting in my car by myself, driving away, maybe pulling over in a rest area and taking a nap, like I just really crave that solitude And actually I've just built that into my schedule that for a couple of days after I get home I really need to be with the Lord, i really need him to minister to me because, as I'm pouring out, there is this power of being recharged by the spirit when you're exhausted. But I mean there's also this exhaustion factor that we have to consider. So Jesus is not against rest. but then what happens next? Let's see. It says they went away in a boat verse 32, to a desolate place by themselves, and then some people recognize them. So what happens next?

Speaker 1:

I love it because people recognize them and a crowd came because they knew him and they wanted him. And here's the thing I love, though, is it says immediately Jesus had compassion on them, and I just find that phrase right there, so encouraging to the character of God that Jesus saw them and he had compassion on them. And listen, we're humans, so sometimes we don't feel that way right.

Speaker 1:

I'm thinking of the mamas that are like I'm not feeling compassion for all my kids that are needy, needy, needy, need. But Jesus, he had compassion. That's the kind of Jesus that came to rescue us from our sins. He had compassion on us and on them.

Speaker 2:

Absolutely. I'm just picturing myself in that boat because it says they saw. now many saw them going and recognize them and they ran there on foot. So the disciples are on a boat and they're going somewhere to get away with Jesus and they finally arrive at their place where they're gonna be alone with Jesus. You know, that'd be like me pulling into my driveway after this long retreat And then what? There's people on my doorstep Like from the retreat. I would be like I mean, i just served you. Honestly, i'd be annoyed. But like you already said, jesus has compassion. He has compassion. And why does he have compassion? He gives a reason. Mark gives us a reason there.

Speaker 1:

It says, because he saw they were like sheep without a shepherd. He knew their needs and he wanted to meet them with himself. Isn't that amazing?

Speaker 2:

It is Yeah. what does it look like for somebody to be like a sheep without a shepherd? Like what's a sheep without a shepherd gonna do? They're gonna.

Speaker 1:

Aimlessly wander is what I picture. I've gotten to see shepherds in Israel, which I was very disappointed because they did not wear the shepherd outfit. in Relativity, you know, there is blue jeans Oh, that's funny.

Speaker 1:

There is ringlers and smoking cigarettes, you know. But you can tell if a sheep has gone astray it is just wandering aimlessly and not with his shepherd, You know, just trying to find their way, but not sure where they're going Yes, and so a sheep without a shepherd is very vulnerable, and Jesus has compassion on vulnerable people, on people who are not being shepherded.

Speaker 2:

And then his response, i love, is, and he began to teach them many things. People who don't have teaching, people who don't have truth That's what they mostly mean Now, these people running around the other side of the lake to get to Jesus. I don't know if that's what they're after. I don't know if that's what they're. If they were clamoring to get to him for the truth that he would give, maybe they wanted more miracles, but that's what he gave them. He gave them truth, and I think it went on for a while. What do you think, jen?

Speaker 1:

I'm guessing, it grew late. So yes, this was not your 30 minute. 3 point sermon.

Speaker 2:

I think it went on for a while. And so then, what did the disciples suggest?

Speaker 1:

Send them away so they can get food, Like I and I've been there to where this occurred and I don't know where they thought they were going to go away to get food. There's no McDonald's, you know but they suggested send them away and let them get something to eat.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, I mean we've done enough here. Basically, right, They're trying to, you know, talk to Jesus. Logically, They're coaching him, which isn't that funny.

Speaker 1:

Right.

Speaker 2:

Like Jesus, come on now. This has been. Enough, is enough, enough teaching, send them away. We've given enough, we're spent, we're exhausted, send them away. And Jesus has something else to say. What does he respond?

Speaker 1:

He said you give them something to eat. I mean, isn't that the funniest? I love it. I can just kind of picture his smile Like when he says this you give them something to eat.

Speaker 2:

Right, and you know, i think that probably is the last thing they expected to hear. What do you think he was after there, jen? Like why do you think he told the disciples to give them something to eat?

Speaker 1:

I think he wanted to. He knew he could do any of this, right, but I think he wanted them to come to the. Okay, we're going to feed them, but we have little. We have no resources and kind of experience, what it's like to reach that point of I have nothing to offer here. Yes, and I don't think he was doing that in a condemning way. I think he was ready to show them watch what I can do when you have nothing to offer here.

Speaker 2:

Yeah. So I think maybe in the miracles before this point the disciples were perhaps a little more passive. They're just watching Jesus heal people or, you know, make blind people see, but at this point he's involving them. They're going to participate in this miracle. So him saying you do it, that's sort of like him inviting them to be part of the miracle. And I don't know about you, jen, but have you been ever asked by the Lord to do something that you just didn't feel equipped to do?

Speaker 1:

Daily. I feel like, yes, i mean really just being the executive director of a nonprofit that comes with no instruction manual.

Speaker 2:

You know and.

Speaker 1:

I don't know how to do spreadsheets and writing book. I mean, it really is. I think it is so humbling when you feel all these insecurities and yet a calling. And so, yes, i have been there many times where the disciples are like I know these people need some food here, but I have nothing.

Speaker 2:

Yes, i love that you used the word humbling, because I think humble leaders are the ones that God can use most effectively. right, and so Jesus invites them. you give them something to eat, and I just wonder if any of our listeners are in a place where they're being asked to do something that they just are overwhelmed. They've already given like, i've already given enough here. come on, we're exhausted, or I'm so bothered by this request. this feels like they can take care of themselves.

Speaker 2:

you know these people, they're just annoying, like send them away. Like I'm thinking of moms with little kids. I there were times that I just found it annoying that I had to change another diaper or had to spoon feed another baby, and I, i would have loved to have gone and done bigger, more exciting things at that time in my life, but Jesus wanted me to feed people who want to feed me, to feed little people who were sometimes annoying. And so the moms who are listening, or those who care for elderly people who are listening, those who, those who serve in ministry, jesus invites us to recognize we don't have what they need, and yet we're still invited into this ministry process because Jesus is going to do something beyond us to feed that many people?

Speaker 2:

There are 5000 men, we don't know how many women and children Like this would be like thousands and thousands of dollars. Like think of putting on a banquet or a wedding for that many people. That'd be really expensive. And so the disciples? this is outlandish Jesus, that is ridiculous to them. And then Jesus tells them to do what He tells them okay, what do you have?

Speaker 1:

Like, what do you have right here, what is available to you? And I love that because I sense that often when we we can easily start naming what we don't have, even in security wise, like you know, you wrote your wonderful book on comparison the comparison girl and it's like we can start comparing what we don't have to what other people have. That's so easy to do And right here Jesus is saying but what do you have? What do you have before you?

Speaker 1:

And the disciples had to go look, and they had five loaves and two fish. You know, and I'm sure they're thinking they're okay, this may be what we have. Let's think about all that we don't have and what the great need is the great problem. So, even if you are not in ministry per se called two ministry we all have those moments when we look at you know, maybe it's a new job you're taking on, or your kids have gotten older, or you're flinging them out of the nest flinging, that's probably not a good thing Where you start to think of all the not-an-ifs, and Jesus had to point out not what the not-an-ifs are, but what do you have right here?

Speaker 2:

Right, Yeah, let's take what you do have and work with that, right. And so that's what he does. He just takes what they have and it's outlandish. I mean, imagine looking out at the sea of 5,000 people I mean I've rarely been in a group of 5,000 people, but it feels like a lot of people And to bring a little like that's a one person size lunch, and so to bring that and say, all right, what are we going to do with this? I mean it sounds ridiculous, but then what happens?

Speaker 1:

So this part is the most exciting to me is that he takes what they have and then he puts it in his hands and he breaks it. It says he takes the loaves and the fish and he looked up to heaven, set a blessing and broke the loaves. But then this is the cool part too He could have been the one to pass it out, because he was the one that multiplied it. But what he did is he took the disciples little, he turned it into much and then he let them be the ones to distribute it.

Speaker 2:

How neat is that, yes, he's involving them in the miracle, like he's taking a piece of bread that he broke, and I don't think he's breaking it again and again, and again. Do you think? I don't know? I think he's like breaking it, giving it, breaking it, giving it, and they're coming back for more and it just keeps breaking. Yeah.

Speaker 1:

I mean, it's just extraordinary to think about what can happen when we put our little in the hands of the one who can do much. That's so amazing.

Speaker 2:

And then he lets us distribute it, And I think some of us are embarrassed to put our little in Jesus's hands. In another gospel we're told that it's a little boy who brings his lunch, And if it was my little boy I'd be thinking, oh my gosh, no, don't give that to him. What if the fish? what if it's been all day and they're not quite fresh? Or what if the bread is stale? But this little boy, he doesn't care. He just gives his lunch to the disciples, And I think sometimes we just feel like we're so limited.

Speaker 2:

God couldn't possibly use what we have. But I don't think it really matters what kind of lunch. I don't think it mattered that if the bread was perfect or the fish were fresh, I think Jesus can take whatever. I mean, the need is so great compared to what we have. He is the great multiplier And so it doesn't matter what's in our lunch bag, It's just are we going to give it to him and allow him to multiply? And that's exactly what happens. So go on and tell us how the story wraps up.

Speaker 1:

This is so fun. They fed all the people. Everybody ate, everybody was full, but then there was leftovers. How?

Speaker 2:

cool is that.

Speaker 1:

I love it. I just love that reminder that he takes our little, he does much, and then with the much, he always does more than we could ever ask or imagine, because imagining that there would even be leftovers, and even when I think about the time in Haiti we had leftovers, because God cared just as much about those that were coming later getting food as those that were there with us.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, and so in a sense, this was Jesus caring for his disciples, because there were 12 baskets, you know, you get the sense that each of them are going to have their little leftover doggy bag to take with them to finally have this rest at their third.

Speaker 1:

And nothing's better than reheating the well. I don't know about fish and bread. Yeah, i love those leftovers. It's better. The second day?

Speaker 2:

I think So, Jen. We want to know this story, but we also want to live the story. So when we feel like we don't have enough, when we're tired, when this ministry has tracked us down, like there's a difference between the disciples going out to these new cities they enlisted for that, they're like, yes, send me out. I am excited, but this is a ministry that came to them And so maybe some of our listeners, or you and me, we're in a situation where the ministry has chosen us and we're tired. We just don't feel like we have enough. What is good to remember from this story?

Speaker 1:

I think that same Jesus that had compassion on the crowd had compassion on the disciples too. So he was there for both of them And I think it's just okay. I am exhausted, i'm weary, i have all this little. This is a need that's overwhelming. I need God to do much And just coming to Jesus with that and saying, okay, here's where I am And here's how I feel, exhausted and weary And I think that same Jesus had compassion on the sheep without a shepherd, comes alongside and has compassion on us.

Speaker 2:

And also maybe that she wants to involve us in something bigger than we were thinking of. right, and maybe we've minimized this ministry that has come our way. It seems maybe small or insignificant. It's good to remember the truth that God uses these things that seem insignificant in our lives to do miracles, like he wants to do miracles. And so having an open heart, asking, living this message of the feeding of the 5,000, is saying how's God gonna multiply something in my life today? So what would it look like to live as though we know for sure Jesus can multiply things? What difference would that make if we truly believe that Jesus can take small amounts and multiply them?

Speaker 1:

I think we would be more intentional and risk more. That's the first thing that comes to my heart is we would risk more. instead of playing safe and the safe and the same, we're going for the yes to the Lord and just saying, okay, i'm gonna risk that next day maybe step or big step of faith because you're gonna take this little step and you're going to move mountains. I think it keeps us from when we live that way, when we live as if the same Jesus that took loves and fish and 5,000 can use our little and do much, then I think we do much more We do.

Speaker 2:

Yes, i love that word risk. I feel like the opposite of risk is like self-protectiveness, and we kind of see that in the disciples, where they're like, no, let's send them away and no, we wanted our rest time, and they're trying to self-protect And preserve.

Speaker 1:

Preserve the resources, Yes, preserve. Okay. we have little resources, so let's keep it to ourselves, which is so easy to do, right?

Speaker 2:

I mean, we all fall into that pattern at times, yeah, and maybe the 12 disciples are looking at like we only got five, that's less than a half a loaf each. That's hardly gonna feed us. Like we gotta keep this lunch. But no, jesus invites us to live as though we can take risks and he will provide. So, whether you're short on money, whether you're short on time, whether you're short on talent, resources, whatever it is, if we believe that Jesus is the great multiplier, we will take risks and we will choose to not live in that self-protective mode of like oh no, i'm not gonna put myself in a situation where I can't deliver. We not only short change those that we would bless, but we short change ourselves, so we don't get to experience any miracles. So for those of us who like to play it safe and I would put myself in that category I tend to be a perfectionist and I like to put myself within parameters. Jen, you've blown the doors off your life.

Speaker 2:

You're like living by faith and I love that. I love that. So this is perfect story for you. But those of us who like to play it a little more safe, like I, think it helps me to remember that Jesus is the great multiplier and that taking a risk is inviting him to involve me in another miracle.

Speaker 1:

I love that And just, for example, this podcast right now. that's a big thing. yes to that, to the Lord, and just trusting okay, i don't know about you, but technology can be overwhelming and all the details and just stepping out there And here you are doing that and watch. I mean there is no telling how God is gonna multiply this to audiences around the world that need their here, even now that God takes little and does much.

Speaker 2:

So quite a risk, shannon, quite a risk. And I mean, yes, it's true, friend, i have lost sleep over this. I've been like, really, lord, but I just wanted to take my little. You know, here I have a microphone and I have a computer and I can do this. I had some time this summer to meet with some friends and talk about the Bible. So, hey, let's do this and let's see how God will multiply it. Let's think, just as we close up, how can we tell the story? Cause I think that as we tell these stories, these true stories in the Bible, they not only sink more deeply into our hearts, but they invite other people to experience the God that we know. So what situations do you think we could Tell this story in?

Speaker 1:

I'm just thinking of a casual conversation with your next-door neighbor who's just sharing all the ways they're exhausted, and I think that's an easy way to just kind of ease in and maybe share from your own story of I. had this moment where I felt that I had this little to give or this. I was overwhelmed by my lack of resources And then, like in the feeding of the 5,000, where Jesus fed a crowd that was hungry, and just kind of weave it in.

Speaker 1:

You don't have to be all weird and like get out your felt board if you know. Right, but I think it's. You don't have to be in conversation long for people to start listing their lack.

Speaker 2:

I love that you said that If we're listening for somebody or maybe it's us for somebody listing out some lack, some way that we're limited, listen for opportunities to say, hey, you know what? This situation for you reminds me of this story in the Bible. It reminds me this what you're living it reminds me of a story in the Bible. We can tell stories like that.

Speaker 1:

And I love it too, because even if someone that has been a Christian since they were eight years old and they're 80, sometimes we just the stories can become so familiar, so weaving them back in can awaken faith in us, these sorts of stories.

Speaker 2:

They're intriguing. They invite people to consider like who Jesus is, whether they know him or not. I mean, i love to come back to the stories And I love my friends who remind me of the true stories of God and help me lift my eyes. You know the way that Jesus lifted his eyes to heaven and blessed this food before it was broken. Like trusted God in advance for what he was going to do.

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Shannon Popkin

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