Compassion for Spiritual Rest – July 23, 2024

But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 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 6:33,34

Compassion for Spiritual Rest

Sheep are needy creatures. They require constant supervision and care. Sheep have no defense against predators like wolves, coyotes, and even birds of prey. They are susceptible to disease and parasites. Sheep must be shorn regularly to prevent overheating. They have to be shown where to eat so they don’t die of starvation and malnutrition. Sheep need a shepherd.

When Jesus saw the people, he compared them to sheep without a shepherd. Jesus had compassion for them because their spiritual needs were not being met. And like shepherdless sheep, they would be spiritually doomed. So Jesus graciously gave them what he and his disciples had come for—rest. He gave them that rest by teaching them many things. He shared his words with them.

Spiritually, we are much like sheep. We are needy. We are defenseless against our spiritual enemies and susceptible to false teaching. We carry the burden of our guilt and shame. We forget where to find spiritual food and rest that will sustain us. We need a Shepherd.

Only Jesus, our Good Shepherd, can give us what we spiritually need. When we come to worship, open our Bibles, and listen to a devotion, Jesus’ heart fills with compassion toward us. Just as he loved those people in that large crowd, Jesus loves us. He wants to be our Good Shepherd and to give us spiritual rest.

Jesus loves us so much that he laid down his life for us, dying for our sins so that we could live forever with him. So we can have the forgiveness of sins and the rest that comes through peace with God.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for caring about my spiritual rest. Forgive me for when I’ve looked for that rest anywhere besides you. Amen.