Monday, April 30, 2007
Mark 6:34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So He began teaching them many things.
JESUS OUR COMPASSIONATE SHEPHERD
Picture the scene. Jesus disembarking from a boat. He and His disciples have landed on the eastern shore of Lake Galilee after a 6-mile sea journey. They've come there for a vacation. They've been working hard without a break for days. They need rest. Jesus especially needs some down time. He's been spending long hours preaching God's Word, teaching and counseling, healing the sick. What better place to go for some much-needed R & R than Lake Galilee's deserted eastern shore? At least that was the plan. Things didn't work out that way. Many in the crowd to whom Jesus had been ministering, watched Him get into the boat. Realizing where He was headed, they hiked to the other side to spend more time with Him and listen to Him preach. It wasn't long after He landed on the beach that a crowd of over 5,000 had assembled before Him from the nearby cities.
Notice that when the Savior saw these people He did not tell them to go home. He didn't say: "Make an appointment to see Me after My vacation is over." When He saw the crowd He was moved with compassion for them because they were like helpless, shepherdless sheep. He spent His vacation time feeding their souls with the nourishing truths of the Gospel of salvation. When shadows of evening began to fall He showed His love another way: By using His power as God's Son to supply food for their stomachs.
This story sheds light on how Jesus viewed people during His days on earth and how He views them today, including you and me. He sees us as sheep in desperate need of His loving shepherd care. He never grows tired of supplying us with the one thing needful: The Bread of Life for our souls. He takes care of our bodily needs too day by day. How blessed we are to have such a compassionate Shepherd.
I am Jesus' little lamb,
Ever glad at heart I am;
For my Shepherd gently guides me,
Knows my need, and well provides me,
Loves me every day the same,
Even calls me by my name.
