Visualize the scene: Jesus is disembarking from a fishing boat on the northeastern shore of Lake Galilee. He’s just completed a sea-journey of six miles. He’s looking forward to a time of rest after a hectic ministry week. Fatigued, He climbs from the boat, walks to a nearby highland area overlooking the lake, and sits down to relax. His down-time is cut short, however, because the people He had been teaching on the opposite shore had taken note of His departure. They knew where He was heading and decided to go there, too. Jesus, seeing the people congregating on the shore, walks down from the highland area. They throng all around, eager for another opportunity to hear Him speak and have Him lay His hand on their sick to make them well. By noontime the crowd of Jesus enthusiasts numbers over 5,000.
Now picture the Lord standing there, His eyes surveying the vast multitude. What’s He thinking? “Can’t these people allow Me even to enjoy even a little bit of vacation?” No! The Bible records what Jesus was thinking in these words: “He was moved with compassion for them because they were like sheep not having a shepherd” (Mark 6:34). He spends the whole day, showing concern for their spiritual well-being by preaching God’s Word to them and for their bodily needs by serving them a meal of bread and fish. The story provides insight into how Jesus looked on the people He saw and met while walking on earth. Never did He view them as bothersome folks who refused to “give Him a break.” He always viewed them as precious sheep in need of His Good Shepherd care.
It’s how Jesus looks at us too. Thank God the day will never come when Jesus is too busy to minister to our physical needs or too tired to supply our all-important spiritual needs through His Word. Each day we may sing with gladness:
Savior, like a shepherd lead us, Much we need Your tender care;
In Your pleasant pastures feed us, For our use Your fold prepare.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, You have bought us; we are Yours.
Early let us seek Your favor, Early let us do Your will;
Blessed Lord and only Savior, With Your love our spirits fill.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, You have loved us, love us still.
(Lutheran Service Book, 711:1, 4) |
