Compassion

Mark 6:30-34 NLT: “The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. Then Jesus said, ‘Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.’ He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.

So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone. But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them. Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.”

These verses were in my morning Bible reading and they jumped out so loudly that I knew I needed to share.

Let me set the scene. Jesus had sent his disciples out on their first “Fishing For Men” tour and they had just returned home from a long arduous journey; they were excited to tell their Lord all they had accomplished, more than likely share some of the trials of the road and to simply be glad to be back home and in his presence.

Jesus, understanding that they were tired and hungry, in need of some serious quiet time and much-needed rest. Decided they needed a break and time away from people so he suggested they do just that, so boarding a boat, off they go.

Here’s what grabbed me this morning! Within the verse, we read of tiredness, hunger, people pressing in and on, constantly needing! One simple line that separates Jesus from true mankind. He had compassion on them.

Picture this, you’ve been working all day, with throngs of people pushing to get your attention, time, and help. If you’ve ever worked in a busy diner or retail during the Christmas season, then you know the pressure of a whole lot of people, wanting a whole lot of you at a whole lot of now! It’s overwhelming and patience often run thin.

You get home from work, feet throbbing, back aching, head pounding, and all you can think about is a hot bath. What do you find? Your husband has invited the church youth group over for hot dogs and fellowship!

What is your honest first inward reaction to this scenario?

Was it compassion? Was your first tired thought one of pride in your husband for taking the time to care about our young people and what can I do to help him?

OR

Did it more than likely resemble one of the major conflicting emotions? What? Tonight? I’ve worked all day and we were swamped! I’m tired, hungry and I just want a bath and bed! A bit of frustration arises at the selfishness of the whole scenario! Didn’t he even think about you?

Do you wonder if the disciples felt the same way? Really, all these needy people again! Man, are we ever going to get some sleep and food, I’m hungry! I imagine they did, they were human just like you and me!

This is when we learn who Jesus is and how much he loves us! He was fully man when he walked on this earth. He felt pain, and happiness, dread and joy, broken-heartedness and love, he was let down and left alone, and he got hungry and tired.

But

Instead of rolling his eyes, shaking his head, getting grouchy or slightly sneering at them we read; He had compassion on them and taught them many things.

We could all take a lesson from this example. We are also on the “Fisher of Men” tour and might we need to show a bit more compassion for the lost?