The Lord's Compassion

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

The Lord's Compassion

Date: Mar. 20, 2016

Passage

Mark 6:30-44 (ESV)

30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 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. 35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. 36 Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 6:34a

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.

First, Jesus offers rest for his disciples (30-31). There was great joy and excitement as the disciples shared their mission reports with Jesus. But because of so many people the disciples were unable to eat or rest. Understanding their need, Jesus said, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." It sounds wonderful, doesn't it? This is the rest we too can experience when we come to Jesus in prayer. We serve a Lord who knows and cares for all our needs.

Second, sheep without a shepherd (32-44). As Jesus and his disciples sailed across the lake, the crowds ran ahead of them and were already waiting for them on the other side. Imagine the disciples' faces when they saw all those needy people! But Jesus was not dismayed. He had compassion on the crowd and taught them many things. When it was late, the disciples told Jesus to dismiss the crowds. But Jesus commanded them, "You give them something to eat." In doing so, Jesus challenged his disciples to have his compassion and to depend on God to multiply whatever they could possibly offer. Jesus blessed the five loaves and two fish they brought to him and used them to feed the whole multitude.

Prayer: Lord, help us to depend on you and serve others.

One Word: You give them something to eat.

Isaac Obeys God and Stays in the Land

Genesis 26:1-35

Key Verse: 26:6

Isaac and Abimelech

So Isaac settled in Gerar.

Today's Question

How is Christ a king?

See answer and references