Digging Deeper – Context

 

Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed, for they still didn’t understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in.

Mark 6:51-52



CONTEXT

 

Christian author and apologist Greg Koukl frequently passes along this shocking tip for the growing believer: “Never read a Bible verse.” Wait—that can’t be right! Surely, he doesn’t mean that we should avoid consuming the Word of God. On the contrary, he completes this jarring declaration by suggesting, “Instead, always read a paragraph at least.” In essence, he is stressing the important role context plays in interpretation. I was reminded of this lesson this week while reading about the feeding of the 5,000 in the book of Mark.

In Mark 6:34–43, we have the account of Jesus’ multiplication miracle. After feeding the multitude with five loaves and two fish, the result is twelve baskets of leftover bread and fish! In other words, they end up with more than they started with—even after distributing the food to thousands! And don’t skip over the detail that the leftover quantity matches the number of disciples—revealing personal implications for the twelve. Truly marvelous!

Mark quickly follows this moment by narrating another miracle in which Jesus walks on water (6:45–52). However, pay close attention to how this scene ends:

Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed, for they still didn’t understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in. (vv. 51–52, NLT)

It’s easy to read the feeding of the 5,000 and stop short—never venturing beyond the passage, and therefore missing out on details that inform the story. At least, that has been my experience. When I came across this verse ten verses later, it helped reframe the earlier miracle: the disciples hadn’t learned from it. Despite their proximity to Jesus and their witness of His power, their hearts were not attuned to what they should have been learning about the Savior.

Can you imagine seeing Jesus do something truly supernatural right before your eyes, and then later doubting His power when another testing circumstance arrives? We do this all the time! Yet Jesus is patient with us—constantly reassuring us and remaining with us through our dullness.

See how such a passing remark—ten verses and one story later—adds important contextual insight that helps us better interpret and apply the Word to our own lives? For an even greater example, relating to the same story, jump ahead two chapters and read Mark 8:14–21!

 


Ryan Hoffer serves as NextGen Production Director at NorthStar. He holds an M.Div in Church History and enjoys playing the harp. He and his wife, Tiffany, live in Acworth and have three children.

Digging Deeper – You Feed Them

 

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 denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?”

Mark 6:36-37



YOU FEED THEM

 

In Mark’s account of the feeding of the 5,000, the disciples start to get nervous around suppertime. They tell the Master, “Send [these people] away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat” (Mark 6:36). Jesus responds rather succinctly, saying, “You feed them” (v. 37, NLT). And He’s not joking! I can only imagine the look on their faces.

Quickly, the immediacy and helplessness of the disciples become the backdrop for the greatness of the miracle. Note that Jesus doesn’t abandon them to accomplish an impossible task, but rather He employs them in His service to bring about what He wants to accomplish. He has them “go and see” how many loaves they have (Mark 6:38). He instructs them to “have the people sit down” (John 6:10). They distribute the food among the groups (Mark 6:41). Thus, the miracle proceeds, and the disciples become co-laborers in the work.

Jesus doesn’t need our help to accomplish His work. He created the world (Col. 1:16), He has command of the heavenly host (Matthew 26:53), and He performed many miracles—including healing people who weren’t even physically present (see Mark 7:24–30). Yet He has chosen to allow us to participate in the advancement of His Kingdom. He could have fed the multitude instantaneously through supernatural means, but instead He says to the disciples, “You feed them.”

The great byproduct is that we are changed in the process, knowing Him more as we make Him known to others.

Take a moment today to thank God that He says, “You feed them,” and graciously employs us in Kingdom service.

 


Ryan Hoffer serves as NextGen Production Director at NorthStar. He holds an M.Div in Church History and enjoys playing the harp. He and his wife, Tiffany, live in Acworth and have three children.

Digging Deeper – The Boy Who Gave Up His Lunch

 

“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” 

John 6:9



THE BOY WHO GAVE UP HIS LUNCH


John’s Gospel is the only account to mention that the five loaves and two fish Jesus multiplied were provided by a young boy—a detail not in contradiction, but one of added distinction (the other accounts simply do not disclose the origin of the food). In verse 9, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, says, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish.” Of course, we are not privy to the negotiation that took place between the disciples and the boy, but one can only imagine that the miracle was initiated with a charitable spirit on his part. The boy was willing to part with his food.

The story brings me back to a day when I was shopping with my 9-year-old son. As we walked through the toy aisle, he was contemplating buying something with his own money but vacillating on whether or not to do it. Knowing that he is generally conservative with his spending, I encouraged him—just this once—to go ahead and buy it. Suddenly, worry crept in, and he confessed that he wanted to, but didn’t want to lose his money. I recall telling him, “That money came from me, and I’m capable of giving you more.”

Now, I have found on more than one occasion that the Lord activates the principles of His Word in the parenting relationship with my children. Instantly, I was struck with deep conviction. My son cheerfully grabbed his toy, while I stood recovering from the existential moment in the aisle of Wal-Mart. Lesson learned.

Today, remember the boy who gave up his lunch in John 6. Not only did 5,000 people eat “as much as they wanted” (v. 11), but there were twelve baskets of food left over. Maybe it’s time we give the Lord our resources—whatever they may be—and let Him put them to work to do immeasurably more than they are currently doing.

 


Ryan Hoffer serves as NextGen Production Director at NorthStar. He holds an M.Div in Church History and enjoys playing the harp. He and his wife, Tiffany, live in Acworth and have three children.

Digging Deeper – Take Inventory

 

Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?”

John 6:5



TAKE INVENTORY


I always find it pleasantly ironic when Jesus asks questions. How could He, who is omniscient, gain new understanding from our response? The fact is, He does not—and it is a grace, even, that the Creator would bend His ear to consider the suggestion of the created.

Such is the case in John 6:5, when Jesus asks Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” The author of the Gospel subsequently discloses our Savior’s motive in verse 6: “He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.” Therefore, the disciples are prompted to take inventory—which always seems to be the result when the Lord asks questions of us.

Philip, almost scoffing at the challenge, responds with an incredulous, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” To put it in perspective, a denarius was a day’s wage for a worker in Jesus’ day (Matthew 20:2). In other words, “Lord, over half a year’s salary wouldn’t be enough!”

Going one step further, Andrew finds a boy with five barley loaves and two fish, but—like Philip—remains unconvinced that anything can be done. It is after this inventory, when the disciples have noted the distance between what Jesus wants to accomplish and what they lack, that He is able to demonstrate His super-abundance.

Has the Lord asked you a question recently? In a sense, He’s asking you to take inventory—perhaps of your resources or your spiritual condition. Not that He needs to know how little or how much you have; He doesn’t. He needs you to know. In the knowing, the conditions will be met for Him to work the miracle.

Remember, “he himself knew what he would do” (v. 6).


Ryan Hoffer serves as NextGen Production Director at NorthStar. He holds an M.Div in Church History and enjoys playing the harp. He and his wife, Tiffany, live in Acworth and have three children.

Digging Deeper: Your Story Could be the Spark

 

This miraculous sign at Cana… was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

John 2:11 (NLT)



YOUR STORY COULD BE THE SPARK

In the late 1800s, Edward Kimball, a quiet Sunday School teacher, felt burdened to talk to a teenage boy in his class about Jesus. Nervously, he visited the young man at the shoe store where he worked. That simple, obedient conversation led to the boy’s salvation. His name? Dwight L. Moody became one of the most influential evangelists of the 19th century, preaching to over 100 million people. But the story didn’t stop there. Moody’s ministry influenced F.B. Meyer, who impacted Wilbur Chapman, who led Billy Sunday to Christ. Sunday’s preaching later influenced Mordecai Ham—who preached the message that brought Billy Graham to faith. One quiet act of obedience—by a forgotten shoe store visitor—set off a chain reaction that changed millions of lives (Culbertson, Moody: A Biography).

John 2:11 shows us how Jesus’ glory was revealed not through a loud sermon but through faithful obedience at a wedding. It was behind the scenes, in the shadows—but it led to belief. What you do may not look like a miracle. But when you obey, God uses your actions to point others to Him. It might be your kindness, your consistency, your courage, or your compassion. You never know who’s watching—or how God might use you to light someone’s path to Jesus.

Reflection Questions:

  1. Is there someone around you who might see Jesus through your obedience?

  2. How can you live with eternity in mind today?

Prayer:

Lord, help me remember that no act of faith is wasted. Use my life, my choices, and even my small steps to reveal Your glory and lead others to believe. Amen.

 


Dr. Larry Grays is the father of four and lives in the Canton area. Larry consults with churches, schools, city governments, and businesses nationwide. He’s been a member of the NorthStar family for over 20 years.

Digging Deeper: God’s Timing > Our Timing

 

Dear woman, that’s not our problem… My time has not yet come.

John 2:4 (NLT)



GOD’S TIMING > OUR TIMING

 

In 2000, Pastor Mark Batterson and a small team began praying around Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., asking God to open doors for ministry. They felt called to launch a church—but nothing seemed to move quickly. For months, they walked and prayed with no building, no congregation, and no budget. Years later, God led them to purchase and renovate a dilapidated 1930s movie theater called The Miracle Theatre. That location became the heart of National Community Church—one of the most influential churches in D.C. today. Batterson later wrote, “God’s delays are not His denials. They’re a test of our trust” (Draw the Circle).

Jesus told Mary His time had not yet come. To us, that might sound like a “no.” But it wasn’t a refusal—it was a reminder that the when matters as much as the what. We often want a microwave miracle, but God is more of a slow-roast Savior. His timing is tied to His glory.

You may be waiting on an answer, a breakthrough, or direction. Take heart: God’s clock is never late. He’s always working behind the scenes—even when it feels like He’s holding back. God’s best comes in God’s time.

Reflection Questions:

  1. What is one area where you’re struggling to wait on God?

  2. How can you stay faithful while you wait?

Prayer:
Father, teach me to trust Your timing. Even when I don’t see progress, help me believe You’re preparing the best. I surrender my schedule to Your sovereignty. Amen.

 


Dr. Larry Grays is the father of four and lives in the Canton area. Larry consults with churches, schools, city governments, and businesses nationwide. He’s been a member of the NorthStar family for over 20 years.

Digging Deeper: Obedience Unblocks Blessings

 

Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” … So the servants followed his instructions.

John 2:7-9 (NLT)



OBEDIENCE UNBLOCKS BLESSINGS

 

Have you ever tried to bake cookies without following the recipe? “Flour, sugar, eggs… what could go wrong?” But what if you forget the sugar? The result? Chocolate chip biscuits that taste like drywall. The right outcome requires the right obedience!

In John 2, Jesus gives the servants a curious command: fill the jars with water. Not wine. Not grape juice concentrate. Just plain water. But here’s the key—they did it anyway. They didn’t argue. They didn’t ask for a better plan. They followed His instructions, even when it didn’t make sense.

Obedience is where many of us get stuck. We want Jesus to work, but we hesitate to obey. We want the wine without the water jars. But faith doesn’t work that way. God often asks for our obedience before He reveals the outcome. The servants filled the jars—and filled them to the brim. That’s not halfway obedience. That’s all in. And what came next? Transformation. The water turned to wine. The ordinary became a blessing.

God’s not looking for perfect people. He’s looking for obedient ones. When we trust Him enough to do the simple thing—go, serve, forgive, give, pray—He shows up with supernatural power.

Reflection Questions:

  1. Is there a simple act of obedience you’ve been putting off?

  2. How can you obey God wholeheartedly, not halfway?

Prayer:
Lord, help me trust You even when I don’t understand. Give me the faith to obey, even in the small things, knowing You bring the transformation. Amen.

 


Dr. Larry Grays is the father of four and lives in the Canton area. Larry consults with churches, schools, city governments, and businesses nationwide. He’s been a member of the NorthStar family for over 20 years.

Digging Deeper: Listen Up

 

The wine supply ran out… His mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

John 2:3-5 (NLT)



LISTEN UP

 

A guy once tried to fix his garbage disposal using advice from the internet. He jammed a wooden spoon in the drain and blew a fuse in the whole house. Why? Because he followed some instructions—but not the right ones. Listening matters!

This story of Jesus at the wedding reveals another layer of His character. Not only is He present, but He is speaking. Mary, His mother, understood this. She didn’t panic. She didn’t call Costco. She turned to the only One who could solve the problem and simply said, “Do whatever He tells you.”

It’s one thing to want to hear from God. It’s another to be willing to do what He says. And often, the real issue isn’t that God is silent—the problem is that we’re not listening, or at least not listening with a willingness to obey.

When Jesus says, “My time has not yet come,” He’s reminding Mary—and us—that He operates on a divine timeline. But that didn’t stop Mary from trusting that something good was about to happen. She gave the servants the best wedding advice anyone could give: “Do whatever He tells you.”

Are you willing to take that same advice today? Sometimes, God’s instructions don’t make sense at first glance. They may sound inconvenient, uncomfortable, or even illogical. But obedience always precedes the blessing.

Reflection Questions:

  1. Have you been ignoring any prompts from God lately?

  2. What would doing “whatever He tells you” look like this week?

Prayer:
Father, I want to be a better listener. Give me ears to hear and a heart ready to obey. Help me trust that Your instructions lead to life. Amen.

 


Dr. Larry Grays is the father of four and lives in the Canton area. Larry consults with churches, schools, city governments, and businesses nationwide. He’s been a member of the NorthStar family for over 20 years.

Digging Deeper: Jesus is Closer than You Think

 

The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 

John 2:1-2 (NLT)



JESUS IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK

 

At first glance, this passage feels like a simple RSVP—Jesus attended a wedding. But tucked inside these two verses is a profound truth: God cares about the everyday moments of our lives. He doesn’t just show up in crises, but at celebrations, dinners, soccer games, and graduation parties.

There is something deeply comforting about knowing Jesus didn’t distance Himself from community. He wasn’t just about miracles and messages—He was about moments. And this moment at Cana reminds us that He isn’t limited to the sacred. He steps into the social.

Jesus’ presence at the wedding redefines how we see God. He’s not distant. He’s not disengaged. He’s invited. But here’s the catch—He doesn’t crash the party. You’ve got to invite Him in.

You and I often compartmentalize faith: “This is church time. This is work time. This is family time.” But Jesus doesn’t work within our categories. He wants access to all of it. Whether you’re planning a wedding or folding laundry, His presence makes the ordinary extraordinary. If He showed up in Cana, He can show up in Acworth. The question isn’t whether He’s willing—it’s whether we invite Him into the details.

Reflection Questions:

  1. Where in your daily routine have you unintentionally left Jesus out?

  2. What’s one area you can intentionally invite Him into this week?

Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for showing up in ordinary places. Remind me that You care about the details of my life. Help me to see You in my everyday, and give me the courage to invite You into every part of my story. Amen.

 


Dr. Larry Grays is the father of four and lives in the Canton area. Larry consults with churches, schools, city governments, and businesses nationwide. He’s been a member of the NorthStar family for over 20 years.

Digging Deeper: Process Over Results

 

10 But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.

Daniel 6:10 (NLT)



PROCESS OVER RESULTS

 

College football is always a big deal—especially down here in the South. This past season was a bit different, though, without Nick Saban patrolling the sidelines in Tuscaloosa. Coach Saban retired with a career record of 292-71-1 and seven national championships.

Many people regard him as one of—if not the—best college football coaches of all time. Though I, like Bulldog fans everywhere, won’t miss him on the other sideline, I am in awe of all he has accomplished.

A hallmark phrase for Saban and his former players is the idea often referred to as “the process.” Essentially, it refers to the mindset of focusing on daily improvement—getting better every single day—regardless of the results on the field. The concept of being process-oriented rather than outcome-oriented is the crux of the philosophy.

Conceptually, the idea is this: if your goal is to win a championship or beat a particular rival, what happens once you accomplish that goal? What will continue to motivate you? How will you keep growing if your sole focus is the outcome? Trusting the process is paramount to finding lasting success.

This week, we’ve studied Daniel in the lion’s den. This famous encounter tells of a faithful man sent to certain doom, only to have God intervene to protect and preserve his life. There are many lessons to be gleaned from this passage—many of them applicable to our daily lives.

It’s important, though, that we don’t focus solely on the outcome. History is rich with stories of people who faced peril and prayed—and yet were not delivered this side of heaven. So, the outcome of Daniel’s story isn’t the sole focus for us as readers. Rather, it is the fact that Daniel trusted the process, regardless of the outcome.

Pastor John MacArthur, in a sermon, said it like this:

“Believing in God doesn’t mean that the lions aren’t going to eat you. There have been martyrs throughout all the history of God’s dealing with men that have believed God—and they’ve died. The issue is that we accept God’s will. If it is to live, it is to live. If it is to die, it is to die. But in either case, we’re never defeated.”

Daniel knew what his fate would be if he were caught praying—and yet he did it anyway. His faithfulness to God was more important than the outcome these men intended for him. Did Daniel know he would be saved or protected? We have no evidence to suggest that. Did he accept his fate? Yes!

Our faith can’t be outcome-driven. We are not God, and we don’t determine all the outcomes. But if we believe His Word to be true, then we know we can trust Him and His process—just as Daniel did. May we all walk with such faithfulness!

 


Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.