It's been a while since I did one of these, so I figured I'd share one with you. ;)
The Verse
When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.
All verses taken from the ESV translation
My Thoughts
Have you ever been lost? I don't mean physically, but emotionally. Mentally. Spiritually. If you haven't, what planet do you come from (and how can I get there)? XD
Being spiritually lost is the hardest for me, personally. It feels like I'm floating, alone, trying to figure out where I'm going and what I should be doing and when and how and why, all without a guide. Without a shepherd.
Lost sheep are many things. Often they'll scatter, becoming easier prey. They're scared. Vulnerable. Often every bit as stupid as when they're together.
Have you ever helped someone who was physically lost? The tourist on the side of the road, the child in the grocery store, even just a stray kitten without a home? Why did you?
More often than not, the answer to that last question will be compassion. Most humans have an innate sense that being lost is bad, and we want to help. Jesus is also that way.
But something else about this passage struck me. If you look at the parallel passage in Matthew 14:13-21, you'll see that all of this happens right after Jesus hears about the death of his beloved cousin, John.
Guys. Jesus is leaving so he can be alone when he sees this crowd.
I don't know about you, but I would imagine that the news of John's death was a heavy blow on Jesus' energy levels. I'd already be exhausted after taking care of so many thousands of people physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually day after day after day. Then if someone came and told me that someone I loved had died, I'd want time alone to process and grieve. My emotional care-taking wells would be drained dry as a bone.
But instead of asking everyone to give him a break, or flat out losing it, Jesus has compassion on these lost people and spends the entire. day. with them, teaching instead of taking time for himself. Later, after the crowds have been spiritually and physically fed, Jesus sends his disciples away and has his alone time. (By the way, coming up with that much physical food for that many people would take all the energy produced by America for four years, and Jesus did it in a split second. Talk about a clean power source. XD)
There are so many shepherdless sheep out there, searching for a guide and protector in all the wrong places. Will you sacrifice the things you value and have the compassion to bring them to the Good Shepherd?
What about you? Would people describe you as a compassionate person? Why or why not? Would you agree? Is it just me, or is it absolutely astounding to hear about someone who went and took care of thousands of people after literally just hearing his cousin died? I can't even wrap my brain around that kind of love. XDDD
Until next time,
Take courage, pursue God, and smile while you still have teeth!! ^_^
WOW. I'd never taken the time to think about the fact that he's leaving to be alone after his cousin's death...and then he spends the entire day ministering to the crowds. *shock* That demonstrates his awe-inspiring love in such a powerful way.