Mark 6:30-44

Be Still: Lord, I give this moment to you, please come and have your way. Amen

Read: Mark 6:30-44

‘When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them.’ (v34)

Encounter: I was 'introverting' on my lunch break one day, when one of my chattiest colleagues kept walking past trying to catch my eye. I pretended I couldn’t see him, but on the third pass by, he asked if he could sit with me over lunch.

I enthusiastically said, ‘yes of course!’, but inwardly was screaming whyyyy? Almost immediately he opened up about a painful experience he was going through. The conversation gave me the opportunity to share my faith and where I find comfort amid pain. The interruption turned into a God-intended moment.

The disciples had poured out in ministry all day. As they head to a place to rest, the crowd rushes ahead and arrives before them. When the disciples saw the crowd, maybe some, like me, would have internally screamed whyyyy? But Jesus ‘had compassion on them’. Whilst Jesus encouraged rest, he also lived a life that saw interruptions as an invitation and not an inconvenience. 

A culture of convenience will always choose what is easy: meeting people on our terms, going to places that serve us, or engaging with people that aren’t ‘hard work’. However, the kingdom of God promotes a culture of compassion, one that chooses to stop, see, and serve others, even when it’s a sacrifice.

It won’t always be easy; we live in our world with so much need. However, when we choose compassion, Jesus gives us the strength required. We read that the disciples, despite their exhaustion, went on to hand out food to thousands. Jesus sustained them in their service of others, and he does the same for us too.

Apply: Who or where is the Holy Spirit prompting you to serve in this current season? Is there anything that the Lord is calling you to lay down, let go of, to make room for others?

Devote: Lord, when interruptions come, help me to see opportunities to show your love and compassion Please give me wisdom to know when you are calling me to rest, and discernment to know when I should serve.