The Sight

The Sight

Mark 6:30-34, NLT

The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. 31Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat. 32So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone. 33But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them. 34Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

Setting the Scene

During Jesus’ short time on earth, specifically his three years of public ministry, he focused on choosing and teaching his disciples, while moving steadily toward fulfilling his mission on the Cross. This event was early in Jesus’ ministry, so the disciples were just beginning to learn about his amazing teachings, unusual claims, and true identity. The Twelve had decided to follow Jesus for a variety of reasons. We don’t know the motives for all of them, but certainly they thought he might be the promised Messiah. But they weren’t sure what to expect from him.

Today’s passage describes Jesus, after an exhausting day, going off with the disciples across the lake. Beginning near Capernaum, Jesus and the Twelve sailed “to the far side” of the Sea of Galilee (John 6:1, NLT), to a remote area near Bethsaida on the north. Figuring out where Jesus and his party were headed and seeing their boat, the crowd followed them along the shore, hiking the distance on land.

When Jesus he saw the huge crowd, he could have herded the disciples back into the boat and sailed away again, or he could have dismissed the people. After all, they were pestering him, crowding out his time alone with his disciples. Instead, he “had compassion on them” and spent most of the day teaching them and healing their sick.

Jesus saw the “huge crowd” certainly, but he also saw individuals and knew their needs. No one was lost in the crowd. And when Jesus saw these people, he knew each one’s deepest needs and felt with them and for them. He had compassion. Jesus ministered with and to ordinary men and women, just as assorted as people today. Some in the crowd were simply curious about this new teacher; some were needy, desperate for a miracle; many had gnawing questions about Jesus’ identity and supposed power. Despite the self-centered motives of most of the crowd, Jesus took them seriously and met their needs.

Getting Personal

What did Jesus see and feel when he saw the approaching crowds? (See Matthew 14:14.)

What motives do you think the people in the crowd and the twelve disciples had for coming to Jesus?

What do you want Jesus to do for you?

Jesus sees you in the crowd. He knows you by name. He hurts with you and wants to be with you, to heal your wounded spirit. Don’t let anything keep you from Jesus. He doesn’t expect you to get your act together before approaching him. He made you; he knows you; he knows your strengths, potential, and weaknesses. He just wants you to come, to allow him to work in you and through you. When you do come, Jesus meets you where you are.

Talking to God

Talk with the Lord today about anything that keeps you from coming to him in prayer. Thank him for his compassion and for his healing touch. Acknowledge your deep need of him today.