Excited Compassion

Mark 6: ³⁰ Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. ³¹ And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. ³² So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.

³³ But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. ³⁴ And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. 

============

After long days of serving many, I returned from a mission’s trip. We had served hurricane victims not only with repairing homes but with prayer and teaching. Anguish was replaced with hope for a few people. While this was exciting, it was still overwhelming because thousands more needed help.

• Serving can be exciting to me
• Helping someone have hope is the most incredible feeling to me
• Seeing someone appreciate compassion is awesome to me.

When the apostles returned to JESUS they had wonderful stories to tell. They actually healed the sick, drove out demons and gave people hope like never before. For the first time in some folk’s lives, they could see a way out of their misery. One problem was the huge number of people.

• JESUS saw me and in my misery and had compassion for me.
• JESUS saw me without hope and filled me up with true hope.
• JESUS saw me wandering like sheep without a shepherd and decided to guide me to a better place.

Compassion needs hope and that is what JESUS taught. HE saw the crowds of people who needed help that wasn’t temporary. HE told them of a new kingdom that would surpass liars, thieves and manipulators of the Law. JESUS points me to hope.

• Are you out of hope?
• Do you need help in your journey?
• Can you move closer to JESUS in spite of those who manipulate the truth?