The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 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. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 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. And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 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?” 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.” Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 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. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men. Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well. Mark 6:30-56
What kind of God is Jesus? Do you experience the good, kind, and merciful figure of the Bible in your own life?
Jesus is a compassionate shepherd. He offers rest - in this passage, the disciples have just been casting out demons and preaching the gospel. Jesus doesn't tell them to keep working ceaselessly. He tells them to “come away to a desolate place and rest.” The Sabbath is not made for God, but made for man. At times, the most godly thing you can do is rest. In doing so, you show that you trust God can and is still working even when you are not.
Jesus has compassion - he sees the crowd's sad condition- that they are like sheep without a shepherd. Sheep are vulnerable, and we are like them-- we need someone to walk us through the valley of the shadow of death. Compassion is never actionless. Jesus's compassion leads him to seek to teach the crowd.
Jesus, the compassionate shepherd, has power! These people who are listening to Jesus are hungry. Jesus takes just a little bit of food, and fills the stomachs of all the people, and there is much left over! Jesus makes much of the little we can give! When you put just a little in the hands of God, He does a LOT!
Jesus is present - He sees his disciples struggling on the sea, and he comes over to be with and comfort them. Our God is watching, He is present, and He sees. And there is a blessing in the hard moments of our lives by Him just watching.
Jesus is welcoming - when He shows up in the new location, people bring the sick and infirm to him. The word has gotten out that Jesus heals. He does not turn away, but welcomes people. He’s willing and able and has the power to heal. When we come to the end of ourselves, whatever we put in Jesus’ hands, He can handle it! We carry needless pain because we do not give everything to Him.
Be ever reminded of how far He came for us. He steps out of Heaven to welcome and be with us. He loves us! Ask him to be your Savior today - if you want a friend like Him.
