The Jesus Who Cares
Read the Text: Mark 6
Memorize the Text: If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. (Mark 3:24)
Consider the Text: Mark 6:30-44
Followers of Christ have received a command to be witnesses of God's kingdom. We center our fulfillment of this through the practice of evangelism. The motivation for authentic evangelism does not come from knowing the command of the Lord and seeking to follow faithfully, but from genuine care and compassion for others that drives our desire to see the lost saved. Jesus modeled authentic care for his disciples and the gathered multitude when he fed the 5000. This event teaches us three important truths about the caring nature of Jesus and how we should extend care to others.
First, Jesus cared for the LABORERS. Jesus took time to hear the ministry reports from the disciples as they returned from the work. He allowed them the opportunity to share their experience in the kingdom work and to use this moment as a time of encouragement for one another. This moment formed a teaching time where the disciples could sharpen one another and receive training from Jesus.
When Jesus took time to listen, he demonstrated care through the rush of their ministry. The work of God's kingdom is busy. Mark tells us that many people continued to come and seek Jesus. The chaotic schedule did not allow for time to eat, and thus the momentary needs were sacrificed for the ministry. Jesus recognized this dynamic and prepared to extend care by meeting their need.
The need extended from food alone because the disciples needed to rest. Jesus told his followers to get away by themselves to a place they could rest. Jesus called them to rest to stop for a moment and refresh themselves for the work. Such a command extends the Old Testament understanding of the Sabbath and the need for intentional rest. Moments like these demonstrated that the Lord cares for his laborers.
Second, Jesus cared for the LOST. Jesus gazed at the gathering crowd and saw a people who existed as sheep without a shepherd. This image illustrated their hopeless spiritual state. He saw the crowd as a people with no direction, protection, or medication. Thus, he was moved by compassion. He was not driven by emotion alone but moved to action to respond. Jesus did not simply say they are lost and give mournful rhetoric, but he engaged them to show them their need and respond to it.
Jesus knew that the crowd could not understand their state or need unless he taught them. He took a moment's opportunity to show them their spiritual state because eternity rested in the balance. Though he faced physical fatigue, the cost of eternity drove him to respond. Jesus would teach in a manner that declared their lost state as sheep but offered a way to the Shepherd.
Third, Jesus cared to use the LITTLE TO REACH THE LOST. Jesus used the moment to teach his disciples. This training took place as he called them out of the little places of society and trained them for the eternal work. He demonstrated how God uses available and readies them for the work. God can take the smallest faithful servant and perform the most magnificent work.
The Gospel of John provides a little more detail concerning this event. We find that Jesus used a small amount of food to feed the masses. The truth reveals that God takes the sacrifice of a little to perform the amazing. Jesus does not operate in the logical but in the divine. He sees differently than we see because he knows what he can do when the temporary realities blind us.
As we consider how God works, leads, and directs, are we trusting him to work through us? Are we ready to be taught by him? Do we trust that he can take the impossible and make it happen? Are we ready to trust him in each moment of life? Are we making ourselves available so God can make us able to carry out his work?
This blog is part of the Coffee and Quiet Time with Jesus Devotional Series found at equippingfaith.com. Join the journey of reading through the New Testament this year. More information can be found at equippingfaith.com.
