Mark 6:30-56 "The Impossible Isn't"
“Perhaps God can do many great things, even in some cases miraculous things, but this is impossible.”
Is God a God of miracles? Is He the God of the impossible? Can He work the impossible in our lives?
The question may not be “Can He?” but “Will He?”
Our text reveals some ways Jesus sought to liberate His disciples from the limitations of the impossible.
Preparation (30-31)
Called apostles for the first time.
“Apostle” means “one sent.”
They went forth two by two.
They came back rejoicing over the fact that they had power over demons.
Jesus told them to rejoice because their names were written in heaven.
They returned exhilarated and enthusiastic. Jesus knew they needed to pull away from the busyness of their success and recharge.
Jesus life consisted of going from one place of prayer to the next, and working miracles in between.
Jesus knew the disciples needed refreshing.
It is in our successes that we are vulnerable, as well as our defeats.
If we would see the impossible isn’t, then we must prepare ourselves by:
- Looking to Jesus in prayer.
- Spend time with Him.
- See Him as our source and power.
- See Him as our best friend.
Encounter (32-44)
The disciples encountered the impossible. They were about to have their faith stretched.
The disciples argued to send the people away. Someone called the disciples arguments “the paralysis of human analysis.”
They were looking at human potential rather than divine enablement.
Jesus gave them a vivid and visible example of what God could do.
Challenge (45-52)
Jesus was going to pass them by. Why? Could it be that He wanted them to be aware of the possibilities of their situation rather than the impossibilities.
The challenge is implicit – take charge of your situation in the power of what can be if God intervenes.
Look to God in faith not fear.
Peter’s faith (walking on the water) was not in the ability of the water to hold him, his faith was in Jesus.
The challenge was there. Do something. Jesus said, “YOU give them something to eat!”
