Mark 6:33-34

Passage

Many in the crowds saw Jesus and His disciples as they withdrew to the desolate place.  Since they wanted to follow, they ran along the shoreline to where Jesus and His disciples were headed.  By the time Jesus and His disciples got to shore, a great crowd had gathered.  He had compassion upon them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.  Jesus taught them many things.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

So go the best laid plans of mice and men.  Jesus wants to get alone time with His disciples.  He wants them to have a break and to be able to reflect on their life.  However, that simply isn’t going to happen.  The crowds see Jesus and His disciples and cut Him off at the pass.  They figure out where He is headed and walk around to the place faster than Jesus can get there by boat.  Sometimes you just don’t get the peace and rest that you want.  Sometimes the world makes demands upon you when you aren’t ready to fulfill them.

Have you ever had people who seem to always want on their schedule regardless of whether or not you are prepared or able to give?  Why do you think the crowds didn’t let Jesus have His alone time with the disciples?

Second Thought:

What’s worse, the gathering crowd attracts all kinds of attention from the neighboring towns.  As people walk the shoreline to get to Jesus, all kinds of other people start to gather with them.  Curiosity about Jesus gets the better of people.  By the time Jesus makes landfall, there are thousands of curious onlookers waiting to see about this Jesus.

What can this passage teach us about natural human curiosity?  Is there a way to use that to our advantage as Christians?  When is curiosity a good thing?  When might it be a bad thing?

Third Thought:

Jesus has compassion.  They are like sheep without a shepherd.  They are looking for pasture, but have nobody there to lead them to pasture.  Like sheep, the people are merely looking for someone to follow.

Do you think human beings are natural followers or natural leaders – generally speaking?  Why would you make that claim?  How is this understanding related to why Jesus would have compassion?  How does this understanding relate to the importance of discipleship and the Holy Spirit turning us into leaders who can disciple others?

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 6:35-37