Mark 6:33-34
33 The people saw them going, and many recognized them and ran there together on foot from all the cities, and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things.
When was the last time that someone taught you something, and you thought to yourself that it was an act of compassion? Is teaching really an act of compassion? Yes, it can be.
You see, many times people suffer needlessly because they do not know. Take for example the understanding of salvation's security. There are many people out there who struggle to know if they are saved, no matter how much they are trying to follow the Messiah. Is it not compassionate for us to teach them that they are saved, and can be assured of it, because their heart is set on following Him?
How many people wrestle with God because they do not understand the eternality of His will as opposed to their temporal issues? Is it not compassionate to teach them that God's concern is for our eternity and not necessarily for our earthly problems? Is it not compassionate to teach them that sometimes God uses us to bless and reach others, even our pain at times?
Suffering is bad enough, but feeling like that suffering is unnecessary or for no reason is torturous.
When Jesus saw the people, who were desperate and longing to be taught the truth that would comfort them, He was filled with compassion for them. He likened them to "sheep without a shepherd." Yet in our modern society we do not necessarily get the reference.
Today we have big barns, electric fences, massive sheep pens, and many other things that take the place of the shepherd, but back then, it was the shepherd which supplied everything for the sheep.
He was their security, he kept them with the flock, he ensured that they were taken to good places to graze. It was the shepherd who ensured the survival of the flock, and each individual sheep. So what Christ is saying is that these people have no one to ensure that they are safe, cared for, loved, and taught.
And knowing this broke His heart and filled Him with compassion.
So what about you?
Does your heart break for those who do not know the shepherd?
Does your soul fill with compassion for those who need teaching and understanding?
When you see people who are wandering, lost, and who are being savaged by the wolves of our modern grotesque culture, do you not long to protect them?
If indeed we are to be like Christ, we must be like Christ. His heart broke for those people. Ours should too.
You may not be a perfect teacher, only one person ever was, but you can be a teacher, after all, that's what the Great Commission says to do.
God works through us, and yes, that includes you.
So find yourself a lost sheep, and help them find the Good Shepherd.
Their eternity will be better for it.
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