Do you know any truly compassionate people? That is a good and godly Christian trait to have. The definition of compassion is to show sympathy and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others. Unfortunately many people, including some Christians, are too impatient or wrapped up in their own concerns to show much care and compassion for those in need. They may give some money or direct them to some social agency for help, but don’t really want to get involved with a needy person. They have their own problems to worry about. Others are too judgmental, and choose not to help because they believe it’s the person’s own fault that they got into the trouble they are in, and to help would only be excusing that person’s sin. In today’s Scripture reading from Mark’s Gospel, we see the compassionate heart of the Lord Jesus, with His love and care for everyone.
As our Scripture passage opens, Jesus and His disciples have gathered together. The disciples had recently returned from their own brief mission and teaching trips throughout Galilee. Also, they had just heard the news that John the Baptist had been executed by King Herod (Mark 6:14-29). That would have been sad and disturbing news to Jesus and His disciples, and He called the twelve to take a short time to get apart into a secluded area to rest and refresh themselves (vs. 30-32). However, the crowds saw them leave by boat and immediately wanted to follow them. Most of the people were looking for healing and miracles, though some may also have been wishing to learn from Jesus’s teachings.
Before they were even able to disembark the boat, the crowds had gathered and there was no opportunity to rest. The disciples, tired as they were, probably were somewhat irritated. Couldn’t they just have a day or two to rest and recoup? How do we feel when a needy person or group keeps wanting more and more of our time, energy, and resources? Do we feel like yelling out, “Stop already!” Let’s look at what Jesus’s reaction was to this interruption of His desired time away with the disciples. In verse 34 we read that when Jesus saw the crowds gathering He was “moved with compassion” for them. He had sympathy and concern for them. Jesus could have told them to go away and come back in a couple of days, but He didn’t.
Mark described the people as being like sheep that do not have a shepherd. Sheep are easily scattered if they do not have a shepherd guarding and guiding them. Without a shepherd they are also in grave danger from both predatory animals and accidents. Other cattle need much less attention, however sheep need the constant care and diligence of the shepherd. These people gathering around Jesus and the Twelve were helpless and spiritually starving, lacking spiritual guidance and protection. They were exposed to the perils of sin and spiritual destruction. Right then, the nation was more religious than ever before, but they had few true shepherds. Jesus presented the only true Gospel. He was the Good Shepherd to the people (John 10:1-16).
In addition to spiritually feeding the people, bringing them the teachings from God’s Word and the Gospel message of salvation, Jesus was also concerned with their physical needs. The day was ending, and He knew that they had not had any time to eat. He cared that the people had some nourishment before they would head home, mostly on foot, and many from several miles. The disciples wanted the people to just head off and buy some food themselves, but Jesus told them to feed them themselves. With the size of the crowd, that looked like an impossible task, and would cost an enormous amount of money (vs. 37). There were about 5,000 men there, and with women and children, could easily have been 10 - 15,000 people.
This was not an impossible situation for Jesus! When the loaves and fishes were in Jesus’s hands, the miracle began (vs. 41). Jesus looked into heaven, where all blessings come. His blessing guarantees everything. The miracle took place between the breaking and the giving.
A situation that seems impossible with human resources is simply an opportunity for God. When facing a seemingly impossible task, do what you can, then pray to God to do the rest, and trust Him to do so. Little is much if God is in it!
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