BIBLE STUDY MARCH 12, 2026

BIBLE STUDY FOR THE MARCH 15, 2026 SERVICE
3RD LORD’S DAY BEFORE EASTER
(LAETARE – REJOICE IN HIS GRACE)
JESUS IS THE FOOD OF LIFE

READS:
PSALM 31:1-5
EXODUS 16:16-19
MARK 6:30-44

Dear brothers and sisters of the Lord, I would like to invite you again today for a Bible study as is our custom. I thank God for the wealth we have reaped from those who have gone before in this program. Furthermore, I thank God that He has also given me the grace and permission to prepare a lesson for this week. I invite all to read, reflect and contribute to strengthen this reflection.

FIRST READING: PSALM 31:1–5
This psalm is in Book One of Psalms, which is chapters 1 to 41. The psalms of this first book are mostly written by David. And the verses we have read of this psalm are referred to as the Psalms of David. The psalms of this section are Psalms of hope and righteous surrender to God and the need for help from His presence in one’s life and the confession of one’s complete surrender to God, relying on Him even in times of trouble.
In short, this entire psalm can see the following:
v A prayer for protection (verses 1-5): David prays for peace and security, taking refuge in God alone as his “rock” and “fortress”. He emphasizes entrusting his spirit to God when he says, “Into your hands I commend my spirit.”
v Suffering and fear (verses 6-13): He describes great sorrow, the pressure of enemies, being forgotten, slander, deceit and weakness of body and spirit due to the suffering he is going through.
v Faith in Trouble (vv. 14-18): Despite his fears, David says, “I trust in the Lord,” knowing that his times are in God’s hands.
v Praise and call for courage (vv. 19-24): The psalm ends by praising God’s goodness and encouraging all who wait on the Lord to be courageous and strong.

This psalm is generally a deep personal prayer to God, expressing distress and sorrow because of enemies (vv. 4-8), sickness (9-10), and abandonment by friends (11-13). Even so, his hope is still in God alone, who is his God and in whose hands his life is (vv. 14-15).

Psalm 31 is David’s prayer for God’s protection, deliverance, and guidance in a time of great distress. David wrote this psalm while in great danger, perhaps fleeing from his enemies. It is possible that this prayer was offered by David while he was fleeing from Saul. However, instead of relying on his own strength or on men, he runs to God as a safe refuge. He shows strong faith, entrusting his life completely to God, and encouraging believers to be courageous and wait for God’s deliverance.
In the verses given to us, the author introduces God in various ways according to what he does. God is seen or looked upon or trusted as the one who can save, the one who is the refuge, the one who is the fortress, the one who is the healer, the one who hears, the one who is the rock, the one who is the strength, the one who is the leader and the one who is the shepherd.

David shows hope in the difficult situation he is going through. In the difficulties and circumstances that David is going through, he still relies only on the grace and goodness of God (vv. 1-2). He has no other hope but God. Thus, he makes God his refuge, the only one who can save him (vv. 3-5). He also needs Him to be his rock and his fortress in which he will hide and be safe.

David knows the character of God well enough, and therefore has absolute confidence that even in what he is going through, God will save him. David prays for peace and security, running to God as a “rock” and a “fortress”. He emphasizes entrusting his spirit to God, “Into your hands I commend my spirit” (v. 5). Jesus also quoted the words of the first part of verse 5 of this Psalm when he was on the cross before his death (Luke 23:46). These words have also been used by faithful believers at the time of their death (Acts 7:59). Here is to be sure that his life is in God’s hands, so even when he reaches the end of his life or his life, he pleads to be received into His hands, so that he may live with Him forever.
In these verses David: He confesses God as his refuge, he asks to be saved by God’s justice and he entrusts himself completely into God’s hands.

Beloved, the life of a man of God is not without challenges – suffering, fear, rejection or situations that discourage us. In Psalm 31, David teaches us how to run to God with the sincerity of our hearts in times of danger and distress. David teaches that in any difficult times we should trust God completely, especially in times of fear and uncertainty, because God’s protection is true, it is certain and brings salvation.

If you are going through suffering and sorrow because of illness, trouble, sorrow or oppression from the world and the enemies of righteousness, at a time like this you have no other choice but to hide in God alone who is our rock and fortress. Trust God with faith until the end of your life. You should continue to trust God throughout your life. When we go through difficulties, God should be the first place of refuge, not the last, and if you do so, you will certainly not be ashamed forever but will pass safely, you will be exalted and become a glory to God.

There has probably been a time in your life when you trusted and placed your hopes in things or people. Where have they gotten you? You have probably not seen any help. At every stage of your life, decide to turn around and start trusting, expecting and expecting God. And no one who trusted in God has ever been disappointed. No one who trusted in God and God has failed or abandoned them. So pray this prayer, “I have trusted in You, Lord, that I may never be put to shame” and you will certainly not be able to be put to shame. And “let us not trust in ourselves, but in God, … who delivered us from so great a death, and will deliver us; in whom we have trusted that he will yet deliver us.” (2 Corinthians 1:9-10)

David, a man of war, betrayal, and suffering, teaches us the secret of a victorious life: running to God with complete trust. David reminds us that true security is not found in good circumstances, but in a close relationship with God. And the truth is, if we run to God in faith, we will never be put to shame.

SECOND LESSON: EXODUS 16:16–19

When you read the book of Exodus, you will see that after God brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, they began their journey to where God intended them to go = the Promised Land. Their journey was not easy, because they faced various challenges. And God intervened in each challenge that arose and solved it. And after one challenge was solved, the Israelites faced another challenge different from the first.

The life that the Israelites went through on their way to Canaan revealed how God can fight for them against their enemies, how He can care for them, protect them and deal with their daily lives. That is why when they lost their way and faced their enemies, God made a way where there was no way and saved them (Exodus 14:1-31). When they lacked water, He gave them water in a completely miraculous way (Exodus 17:1-7). When they found bitter water, he miraculously made it sweet (Exodus 15:22-27). When they lacked food, he miraculously provided them with food. And when God gave the Israelites water and food, he was responding to the challenges they faced.

The thing behind these responses of God to his people is how material things made the Israelites forget all the greatness and goodness that God had done for them. For every time a challenge came upon them, they were filled with murmuring, they even remembered the past, even if it was of suffering and slavery, they considered that better, than dying on the way of thirst and hunger. They did not know the power of God that he could take care of them.

In the verses given to us in this second lesson, the children of Israel are in the wilderness and there they are faced with the challenge of famine. They are in the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departure from the land of Egypt (Exodus 16:1). This challenge again provokes murmuring against their leaders Moses and Aaron. They see that they have been sold out. So they murmur against them, saying, “Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us up out of thence to bring us into this land, to kill this whole congregation with hunger.” (Exodus 16:3). The Bible does not tell us Moses and Aaron’s response to this murmuring as we can see elsewhere. Here we get the answer from God Himself as to how He deals with the challenge (Exodus 16:4-15).

This thing that He is going to do to them will make them know and realize that it is the Lord who brought them out of the land of Egypt (v. 6), and they will see the glory of the Lord (v. 7) and that the Lord has heard their murmurings (v. 8).

God decides to give them a miraculous food that they will eat for 40 years. This food is referred to by the Children of Israel as Manna. The meaning of the name given to this food is “What is this.” Perhaps it is because it is a foreign food to them, and it comes down by the miracle of God himself without their doing any work, and it is to be gathered and eaten at God’s own direction. This food “was like millet grains, white; and its taste was like the taste of wafers made with honey.” (Exodus 16:31).

Now in these verses the children of Israel are given instructions on how to gather food; that they should gather according to their number and the food that is enough for them for that day. And they should do so for six days, the days close to the Sabbath they were to gather twice for the Sabbath day because they were not to go out and gather, because the Sabbath is a day of rest. If a person eats, he should not leave it or put it in a basket, because if he does so it will rot. No one should gather more because if he gathers more the next day it will rot and even produce maggots. No one should go out to gather on the Sabbath day, because if he does he will not get Manna.

Being given instructions about this food teaches us several things:
God cares about our lives and challenges and is ready to remove those challenges from us. What we should do is trust in Him and follow His instructions. Because in following His instructions lies our miracle.
We do not need to live by habits but we should follow God’s instructions as we should live every day, because God deals with our daily lives. Let us not live by routine because God has many ways to take care of us, and He does not have one formula. God takes care of us in different ways and with different things every day. God teaches us how to rely on Him every day.
God is the provider of all things, and God uses those things to take care of us, that is why God commanded the Israelites to gather enough food for the day, because having them for many days would make them start to be satisfied and rely on those things and then lose focus and even forget God who is the provider. But God also wanted to tell them, “Do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself.” (Matthew 6:34). God was saying, “Believe in Me today, and I will take care of your tomorrow too.” God was saying: “I am here tomorrow as I am today.”
God wants to teach us that in our lives we should not look at the things that God uses to take care of you, but we should look at Him who takes care of us.
The command to gather according to each person’s needs teaches us that God knows the needs of each individual and He gives everyone what they need for their daily lives without being limited by their numbers, circumstances, or circumstances.
We also read that, “He who gathered much did not have too much; he who gathered little did not have too little.” This teaches us that there is no shortage or excess with God (vv. 17–18). God has not overlooked your needs. What He gives you today is enough for today. In the kingdom of God, no one is forgotten, no one is robbed, but He gives to all equally, because God is a God of equality, and not of favoritism.

In general, this lesson teaches us that we should always be grateful for what God has done for us and for what we have today, something that we see even in our sermon lesson, finding an example from Jesus himself. Let us stop complaining before asking God, and God does not only want to give us our needs but also wants to build us in the faith to rely on Him for everything and every day.

SERMON LESSON: MARK 6:30–44

Jesus feeds the five thousand
This lesson is one of the miracles that Jesus performed and is narrated by all the Gospel writers; Matthew 14:13-21; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-13 and here in Mark 6:30-44. However, you can see small differences in the presentation of this miracle or sign (in John’s style). All the Gospels show some basic facts:
This miracle/sign takes place when Jesus wants to separate himself from the crowd and have privacy with his disciples.
But the people (the great crowd) follow him – John says they followed him because they saw the signs he had done on the sick (John 6:2).
Jesus with his disciples see this great crowd. Jesus began to teach them about the kingdom of God and to heal the sick (Matthew 14:14; Luke 9:11).
After this service there is a need for people to get food. The Synoptic Gospels show that it is evening, the disciples ask Jesus to send the crowd away so that they can go to the villages to buy food and spend the night there, because the place where they were is a deserted place, and there are no shops. Perhaps this request of the disciples was also to defend their opportunity to find privacy that they feel they have missed, because it has been interfered with by the crowd.
Jesus’ response according to the Synoptic Gospels is, “You give them something to eat.” But in the Gospel of John it is Jesus who knows the need for food for the people, and asks Peter, “Where shall we buy bread, that these people may eat?” It is a trick question for Peter, because He knew what He was going to do. Here too Jesus shows that they are responsible for feeding the people. All the Gospels show the presence of a small amount of food = “five loaves and two fish” which would not be enough for the crowd. And if they were to use money to buy food, it would have cost them a lot of money, 200 denarii. Bible scholars say that this amount of money was equivalent to a day’s wage for a laborer for eight months. While the disciples focus their attention on the problem, Jesus directs the solution to the challenge to the heavenly Father.
Then Jesus uses the little they have (five loaves and two fish) to perform the miracle of causing enough food for the entire crowd. Jesus prays to the Father, and then instructs the disciples to give it to the crowd. The crowd eats, is filled, and has more. They are ordered to pick up the leftovers, and 12 baskets are filled with the remaining food.

There is something unique about the Gospel of John, after the people have eaten and are satisfied they recognize Jesus as the coming prophet and want to make him king. Jesus recognizes their agenda and decides to separate himself from them (John 6:14-15). And this agenda of the people wanting to make Jesus king was later revealed and made clear by Jesus himself when he saw the people following him when he said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate the loaves and were filled.” Jesus realizes the agenda of these people that they want to be fed again, or continue to be fed miraculously all the time. And finally he adds the most important thing to them urging them that “Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on him the Father, God, has set his seal.” (John 6:26-27).
The sermon lesson could be said to be a continuation of Mark 6:7-13, where we see Jesus sending a team of his disciples to spread the kingdom of God in various villages. Jesus sends them out two by two while giving them authority over unclean spirits. And this work had good results because they preached and the people’s response was repentance, they cast out many demons and healed many sick people (vv. 12-13).
Then today’s lesson begins with the disciples reporting to their Lord who sent them. And Jesus, realizing the seriousness of the work they had, wants his disciples to find a place to rest, because Jesus sees that there are still many people coming and going because they want to be served. Of course, they wanted to leave secretly, but the people realized that they wanted to be left alone. Then they made another plan to go ahead of them. These people run together along the sea, and when the boat in which Jesus and his disciples are arrives there, the crowd has already arrived. The people went ahead to where Jesus and the disciples wanted them to have time to rest.
When Jesus and his disciples get out of the boat, they see the crowd they thought they had left for a rest, but it is right in front of them. And there they have no choice but to begin to serve them. We read, Jesus “saw the great crowd, and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.” Jesus does not stop at pitying them, but he takes responsibility. His responsibility is seen in two main things:

Jesus had compassion on them: Compassion is a feeling that touches people in their souls involving feeling compassion and deciding to take responsibility to help someone else who is going through a certain challenge. This is a characteristic of God (2 Kings 13:23; 111:4-5), it is also a characteristic of Jesus Christ (Mark 1:41; 8:2). Jesus’ compassion for the people without a shepherd moves him to take responsibility by teaching them. Jesus sees these people as seemingly lacking in pasture. Jesus didn’t just see the crowd – he saw their inner needs. Jesus begins with their spiritual need by teaching them. Jesus decides to be their Shepherd and begins to feed them. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, puts aside his own personal need to rest to care for the sheep. This situation shows how Jesus cares for our spiritual needs and heals their sick (Matthew 14:13). This shows us that Jesus sees inner needs before external ones. He taught them first before feeding them. Jesus has compassion for the crowd that followed him because he saw that they were hungry for the word, they had lost their direction, they had lost their shepherd. And when they followed Jesus, he did not say “they were bothering him”, but he spoke with actions by dealing with their challenges.

Here we are expected to see that in this period of various people being hurt physically and spiritually, Jesus expects this attitude of seeing compassion to be in his followers (Matthew 18:33; Luke 10:33). And perhaps, it is worth asking ourselves how many times have we seen people scattered and wandering here and there, because we who have been entrusted with the responsibility of shepherding the flock do not have time, are immersed in more entrepreneurship, are tired or want to rest? Jesus wants us to see differently, that if the flock is in front of us we should see their needs and help or serve them. Here Jesus also wants to put as a warning to us what Jeremiah gave to shepherds who do not know how to shepherd and feed the sheep, “Woe to the shepherds who destroy the sheep of my pasture and scatter them! Says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 23:1). Let us prioritize the needs of the flock entrusted to us instead of caring about our own circumstances first.

In modern times, sometimes, our Christians have continued to struggle here and there because they lack the right teachings to satisfy their souls; and sometimes we have failed to care and take action on the challenges they are going through. So they see that they should look for pastures outside, where sometimes they are fed wild cucumbers. And when we see them, we are surprised at them, not realizing that the reason is that we were given the responsibility to shepherd the flock and did not take responsibility properly! May God grant us to reflect on this matter anew!

Giving food to the crowd: After the meeting with Jesus being taught, Jesus and his disciples see the need for people to get physical food now. The disciples see that they do not have the ability to feed the group. The disciples looked at the money they have and they see it is not enough, they look at the environment where they are and they see it is not friendly because it is in the desert and there are no houses or shops. They also look at the number of people because they were more than 5000 people, because the number mentioned here is only men, we believe there were women and children. After assessing how to solve the problem, they urge Jesus to disperse or allow the crowd to go buy food. But Jesus sees differently, he gives them a test, “You give them something to eat”, “Where should we buy bread, so that these people can eat?” But Jesus knew the solution to the problem, he saw the opportunity for a miracle. Sometimes Jesus tests us by asking us to do what we cannot do – so that He can be seen. Jesus waited more for their faith and obedience. When the disciples obeyed and implemented what Jesus told them, that is when they received their miracle. And always a miracle begins where human power ends.
Jesus’ power to serve and help us cannot be limited by any shortage, environment or abundance, He is above all that, all He is waiting for us is for us to believe in His power. And we need to obey what He tells us so that we can see the solution to the challenges we have.
There are so many things we can reflect on and learn through this lesson:

Jesus cares about those who work with him. Jesus cares about the physical and spiritual health of his servants. That is why Jesus told his disciples, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” (vv. 30–32). And here we can say that this applies more to those who are diligent in their ministry, and not to the lazy. This matter of finding solitude (quiet) has sometimes been a rare commodity for those who are diligent in serving. It should be noted that often service without rest brings fatigue; that is why Jesus desires his servants to rest. However, fatigue should not be an excuse not to serve people when they want our service or ministry. We should show the heart of Jesus – that there is no rest for the weary, we need to strengthen ourselves more and be ready to serve them, because we are placed for them. That is why despite the need for rest, Jesus postpones solitude and continues to serve. Here Jesus shows that we should work at the right and the wrong times. We must also do the works of him who sent us while it is day, for the night is coming when no one can work (John 9:4).
Before Jesus performed a miracle, he thanked God for the food. Believers should follow this example of giving thanks even in times of challenge and for the little they have. This shows that a person recognizes how God cares and provides for our needs. This also shows that a person believes that God is the giver of all. And when we show gratitude to God, He blesses our lives to a greater extent. By being filled with a heart of gratitude to God, we attract God’s miracle of being treated or given what is sufficient for our lives and even more.
Jesus cares about those who work with him. Jesus cares about the physical and spiritual health of his servants. That is why Jesus told his disciples, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” (vv. 30–32). And here we can say that this applies more to those who are diligent in their ministry, and not to the lazy. This matter of finding solitude (quiet) has sometimes been a rare commodity for those who are diligent in serving. It should be noted that often service without rest brings fatigue; that is why Jesus desires his servants to rest. However, fatigue should not be an excuse not to serve people when they want our service or ministry. We should show the heart of Jesus – that there is no rest for the weary, we need to strengthen ourselves more and be ready to serve them, because we are placed for them. That is why despite the need for rest, Jesus postpones solitude and continues to serve. Here Jesus shows that we should work at the right and the wrong times. We must also do the works of him who sent us while it is day, for the night is coming when no one can work (John 9:4).
Before Jesus performed a miracle, he thanked God for the food. Believers should follow this example of giving thanks even in times of challenge and for the little they have. This shows that a person recognizes how God cares and provides for our needs. This also shows that a person believes that God is the giver of all. And when we show gratitude to God, He blesses our lives to a greater extent. By being filled with a heart of gratitude to God, we attract God’s miracle of being treated or given what is sufficient for our lives and even more.
Jesus knows our needs (John 6:1-4): Jesus knew the needs of the people. He saw that the people needed to be taught, they were hungry and he knew that they did not have enough food. So, he took action and began to serve them. This teaches us that Jesus knows all our needs. He knows our physical, emotional and spiritual needs. He knows when we need food, water and shelter. He knows when we need comfort, love and help. Let us rely on Him alone and He will satisfy us.
A miracle from God satisfies all needs. In this miracle the food increased, all ate and were satisfied, and no one was lacking and no one complained, but they had 12 baskets left over. There is always no shortage with Jesus, with Jesus there is plenty of food and no one is forgotten, but everyone is satisfied. The miracle does not start with abundance, but it starts with giving Jesus what you have.
Jesus wants to involve us in his work, which is why he sent the disciples to proclaim his kingdom, and he also involves them in solving the challenges facing the meeting – even if the disciples were skeptical. He involves them in distributing food. All of this shows our responsibility to participate in God’s work. The church should not only preach the Word, but also address the physical needs of the community. Here too, Jesus wanted to teach a matter of faith. Jesus often does not immediately solve the problem; but sometimes he invites you to participate in the solution.
The little we have when given to Jesus is enough, because He has the power to multiply it. The little we have Jesus satisfies more than our human expectations. What He requires of you is obedience. So do not underestimate what you have, bring your needs to Jesus first. Learn to share even if it is little with Jesus. Trust God in situations that do not seem to have a solution, and with your faith you will see a solution to your challenge. Let us learn to share God not only when we have nothing, but even when we have little or much that is when God blesses us and increases us with a high level of sufficiency.
Jesus is the Lord of mercy and sufficiency. When He is put first in our lives, there is no physical or spiritual hunger.
Each of us has ever reached a point where what we have does not match the needs. Needs become many, resources are few; and hopes begin to diminish. But today’s gospel teaches us one important truth that where Jesus is, scarcity cannot be the end of the story, but it becomes the beginning of more blessings especially when we share God.
Jesus commanded the congregation to sit in groups. This is a spiritual principle, that the God of miracles is also a God of order and blesses in order. He wants all things to happen in order. So the Church also needs, discipline, leadership and order for the miracle to continue. This also teaches us about Jesus as a shepherd who wants to guide them and give them pasture for the life of their lives.
Jesus uses this miracle of feeding the 5000 people to also teach about the food of life, which is the main idea of this week. In our sermon lesson we do not see this much, but if you read the Gospel of John after the sign of feeding these 5000 people, then Jesus gives this teaching as a response to those who wanted to make him their king. Jesus is the food of life, which will develop spiritual life.

Jesus uses the wilderness to teach about the sufficiency that comes from Him, showing that He is the Son of God, He is the good Shepherd who prepares a table in green pastures, leading them to eternal life (John 6:39). Jesus is the food of life for all those who want His sufficiency, for all those who need to be satisfied with Him, for all those who want to eat the food that will bring them eternal life. Let us not rely on manna, because this is daily food and cannot prevent death (John 6:49), but eat the food of life that Jesus provides, and that food is His body. And whoever eats His body and drinks His blood will live forever (John 6:51-58). Thus, we are invited to rely on Him for our physical and spiritual needs.

CONCLUSION
Dear brothers, all our studies have shown us and taught us that God is our rock, fortress, healer, leader and protector. So, in trouble, fear, illness, facing enemies, rely on God alone and He will turn all of this into victory. Also, when you are at a crossroads, in a challenge that finds you and makes you lack an answer, you look to God alone and he will help you and save you. Yes, when you encounter any shortcomings whether physical or spiritual, rely on God, partner with God, and be obedient to what he commands you, and he will remove your shortcomings and give you what you need and what is good for your life on earth and especially eternal life in the world to come. Jesus satisfies the needs of the body and spirit, what he expects from you is your faith and obedience to him. Amen.
I WISH YOU A GOOD SERVICE AND THE FACE OF THE LORD TO GO WITH YOU

Evangelical Lutheran Church
Tanzania

– Southern Diocese Njombe –

BIBLE STUDY MARCH 12, 2026