My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. Mark 8:2 NABRE
Jesus has a great crowd following Him, wherever He goes people are there to listen and be healed. In the story Mark is writing we read the people have been with Jesus for three days without anything to eat. Jesus feels pity for them and is even worried about their ability to make it back home without collapsing along the way. Jesus has the crowd sit and uses a few loaves and fish to feed the entre crowd of four thousand people. By taking note of the people’s personal needs and the sacrifices thrust upon them following Jesus, He shows empathy and compassion for people. As a leader Jesus is very aware of the needs of those in His care. He takes responsibility and ensures there is a response fir people’s needs.
This story is told to demonstrate the miracle of feeding thousands with a few loaves and fish. God is a God who provides abundance. But we should not miss the leadership skills Jesus provides in the care and leading of those who come to follow Him. Nothing is outside of Jesus care as a leader. Churches today rarely take on the task of feeding those in their community. To feed an entire church community today could be quite a burden and not seen as a duty of the church. But for Jesus, a happy, fed flock, makes a community that feels loved. In all that we do as a Christian community if the basic needs of people are not taken care of, then how can we expect openness to spiritual enlightening. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the ill, visit the imprisoned, give drink to the thirsty; Jesus didn’t just say these things He did them.
Does your church include a meal with their gatherings? How do you care for the needs of others?
As a Christian community if basic needs of people are not taken care of, how can we expect growth spiritually. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the ill, visit the imprisoned, give drink to the thirsty; Jesus said and did these things. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #pity #empathy #Mark #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #cross #last #gospels #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways