The Pilgrim Path---Mark 6: 33, 34 (7—18—20)

Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When he (Jesus) went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.

GREAT CROWDS / HOW DO WE SEE THEM?

“We can make money off them!”

“They are just dopes and fools!”

“They are the swill of the earth---Swill-Mart!”

“Religious Fanatics---be glad when they are gone!”

“Irritating idiots---they just get in the way / always ruining property!”

“Hey, we could use them for our purposes!”

“I hate them all---they are not like me!”

“Oh? I really never noticed?”

“I wish they would die---there are too many people already!”

“Maybe I can sell them something?”

“I never want anything! These people just want stuff---whiners!”

This One who is God in the flesh, was stirred to the core of His being. He saw souls without a shepherd. He had to “act” for their good. My oh my---the wondrous affection and boundless care of The Christ. He poured Himself out for them…” And he began to teach them many things.”

It costs to love people (Matthew 7: 12; Romans 12: 9).

From J. C. Ryle: They were destitute of teachers. They had no guides but the blind Scribes and Pharisees. They had no spiritual food but man-made traditions. Thousands of immortal souls stood before our Lord, ignorant, helpless, and on the high road to ruin. It touched the gracious heart of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was “moved with compassion toward them. He began to teach them many things.” Let us never forget that our Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He never changes. High in heaven, at God’s right hand, He still looks with compassion on the children of men. He still pities the ignorant, and them that are out of the way. He is still willing to “teach them many things.” Special as His love is towards His own sheep who hear His voice, He still has a mighty general love towards all mankind---a love of real pity, a love of compassion. We must not overlook this. It is a poor theology which teaches that Christ cares for none except believers. There is warrant in Scripture for telling the chief of sinners, that Jesus pities them, and cares for their souls, that Jesus is willing to save them, invites them to believe and be saved. Let us ask ourselves, as we leave this passage, whether we know anything of the mind of Christ? Are we, like Him, tenderly concerned about the souls of the unconverted? Do we, like Him, feel deep compassion for all who are yet as sheep without a shepherd? ----The man who cares nothing for the souls of other people is not like Jesus Christ. It my well be doubted whether he is converted himself and knows the value of his own soul.

Come, for the feast is spread,

Hark to the call;

Come to the Living Bread,

Offered to all.

Come to His House of wine,

Low on His breast recline,

All that He has is thine;

Come, sinner, Come.

Henry Burton, 1878

Grace and Peace in Jesus Christ Our Risen LORD, Pastor Jason