Glutton - Part 26

The apostles then rendezvoused with Jesus and reported on all that they had done and taught. Jesus said, “Come off by yourselves; let’s take a break and get a little rest.” For there was constant coming and going. They didn’t even have time to eat.
So they got in the boat and went off to a remote place by themselves. Someone saw them going and the word got around. From the surrounding towns people went out on foot, running, and got there ahead of them. When Jesus arrived, he saw this huge crowd. At the sight of them, his heart broke—like sheep with no shepherd they were. He went right to work teaching them.
 When his disciples thought this had gone on long enough—it was now quite late in the day—they interrupted: “We are a long way out in the country, and it’s very late. Pronounce a benediction and send these folks off so they can get some supper.”

Jesus said, “You do it. Fix supper for them.”
Mark 6:30-37


I love this passage in The Message translation.  Here is the disciples' response.

They replied, “Are you serious? You want us to go spend a fortune on food for their supper?”
Mark 6:37

By the way, if you haven't read The Message translation, you are seriously missing out.  The language is not nearly as poetic or beautiful as other versions but you get great verses like this one and it so much easier to comprehend.  (On a side note, I could care less what version of the Bible you read.  But if you get mad when any other translation is mentioned or declare that your particular favorite is the ONLY authoritative text, then you have yourself a little idolatry problem that you might want to pray about.)

I find this passage so interesting in relation to gluttony.  You see, Jesus faced hunger before and His response was much different.
 
Next Jesus was taken into the wild by the Spirit for the Test. The Devil was ready to give it. Jesus prepared for the Test by fasting forty days and forty nights. That left him, of course, in a state of extreme hunger, which the Devil took advantage of in the first test: “Since you are God’s Son, speak the word that will turn these stones into loaves of bread.”
 Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: “It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God’s mouth.”
Matthew 4:1-4

So what changed?  When Jesus is faced with a hungry horde, why does he demand his disciples feed them?  Why doesn't he just say, "I know you are hungry.  Get over it.  Man does not live by bread alone." 

I don't have an answer here.  It's just something that intrigues me.

Jesus got them all to sit down in groups of fifty or a hundred—they looked like a patchwork quilt of wildflowers spread out on the green grass! He took the five loaves and two fish, lifted his face to heaven in prayer, blessed, broke, and gave the bread to the disciples, and the disciples in turn gave it to the people. He did the same with the fish. They all ate their fill.
Mark 6 : 39-44

I'm not sure this scenario could be repeated in the modern church.  Jesus miraculously produced enough food to feed a ton of people.  They ate their fill.  (Do we even know what that means anymore?)  And, as far as I can see, nobody complained.  That's the real miracle if you ask me.  Not one person asked "How was this fish prepared?"  No one demanded honey cinnamon butter for their bread.  And nobody claimed to be gluten intolerant.

Are you ready for the biggest miracle in this deal?

The disciples gathered twelve baskets of leftovers.
Mark 6:44

Ya'll...they had leftovers.   Remember that we are not talking about a group of people who ate well on a regular basis.  I would confidently say that none of these people were used to eating anything that they didn't have to work hard to catch, kill, prepare or earn.  And yet Jesus presents them with a free all-you-can-eat buffet. And instead of gorging themselves and stuffing their pockets full of bread for later or demanding a to-go box, these people just ate their fill and left the rest.