“When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So, He began teaching them many things” (Mark 6:34)

Matthew’s account of the same event says: “When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:34). They were harassed and helpless, they were a people without a direction. The first response of our Lord Jesus was to have compassion. This is quite instructive.

Jesus understood the value of mercy. His response is a similar response to David’s towards a certain group of people that gathered to him when he fled from King Saul (as recorded in 1 Samuel 22): “And all who were distressed or indebted or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader.” Quite a challenging group, yet David led them, becoming a leader (shepherd) over them. The next response of Jesus was to teach them. “So, He began teaching them many things.”

A popular Chinese proverb says: ‘You give a poor man a fish and you feed him for a day. You teach him to fish and you give him an occupation that will feed him for a lifetime.’ Jesus was always apt! The teachings of Christ are certainly capable of giving anyone peace and direction. Are there people around us who are likewise harassed and helpless? Like Jesus, we can walk towards them with God’s compassion and God’s word. Jesus promised us: “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life” (John 6:63).

BeEncouraged❤️ Freely Received. Freely Share