Scripture Reading: Matthew 10:1-4, Mark 6:7-56
Jesus was the most perfect person ever to walk the earth. Often, we relate it to what He said and did. Rarely do we relate His perfection to His emotional state. But Jesus was perfectly emotional, never overreacting or underreacting in any situation.
When we read about the life of Jesus in the Gospels, we see His heart of compassion. Jesus and His disciples were tired and hungry (Mark 6:30–32). They were looking forward to rest and recovery when the crowds gathered. What did Jesus feel? Compassion.
He didn’t see them as obstacles in the way of self-care. He didn’t see leeches who needed to go away. The most perfect human laid eyes on the crowd and saw lost sheep without a shepherd. In His compassion, He deals with their spiritual need by teaching them and then deals with their physical need (Mark 6:34).
Can’t we relate to the disciples’ reactions to the people? “Come on Jesus, we’re tired, it’s late. We’ve been on a mission trip. Let’s send them away. Hold up, you want us to feed them? Do you know what that would cost us?” I get tired just making a meal for our young church plant. Yet in His tiredness, Jesus takes five little loaves of bread and two fish, blesses them, and satisfies over five thousand people (v.42). His compassionate and costly hospitality is a beautiful example for us. Can people around us taste the hospitality of Christ in our actions?
This narrative also highlights the compassion of God throughout Israel’s history. Jesus is the better Moses all of us have been waiting for. A mediator between God and sinful man, who feeds the people the “manna” of His Word and delivers them from the wilderness of sin and death. Jesus is the better David, the compassionate Good Shepherd who lays down His own life for the sheep (Psalm 23, John 10:11).
And this is how Jesus regards you and me today. He isn’t repelled by our sins and weaknesses. They’re why He came. We were sheep without a shepherd, and He had compassion on us. Are you tempted to think of Him as distant or begrudging? His perfect heart is perfectly compassionate and excited to demonstrate lavish love toward you. Don’t be afraid to approach or need Him. He came so that we might one day be perfectly and finally satisfied forever.
Written by Beverly Berrus
“Can people around us taste the hospitality of Christ in our actions?” This line of the devotional struck me as so powerful today, especially in light of all the fighting and division in our society today.
Jones – praying your prayer alongside you!
Lehua K – praying for peace in your job transition & your side business. That the Lord would bless both and guide your growth!
Taylor – praying the “side effects” of your hacked account are minimal & that your Monday improves!
All Sisters – may we all strive to show the compassion of Christ to those around us, forgive ourselves when we fail and harness the Lord’s strength to get up and try again. That our eyes would be open to the opportunities he gives us to participate in His work as the apostles did in feeding all those people!
Mk 6:41 ‘ … he kept giving the bread & fish TO THE DISCIPLES to give to the people.’
@JENI B – the He Reads Truth devo had this that might encourage you “Even when I feel incapable, God reminds me that I simply need to show up and trust him.”
“And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father.”
Colossians 3:17
It’s no small thing you’re doing so offer it to the Lord and He will bless it as only He can! Prayers and love to you sister!
JENI B – I will keep you in my prayers. 14 is such a hard age for a girl. I’m praying you can show her love and compassion in a world were it is lacking.
I can relate to the disciples being tired. I remember being on the phone one time with my son at 1:30am. He was in the hospital and I went home to try and get some sleep. He was afraid being alone. There were so many times that I was beyond tired and had to push through. It was easier to do this for my son, but do I do that for others. No. I struggle with the entitled attitude of today. I want to hole up in my house and be alone. I’m sure Jesus was tired and would have loved rest.
I can just see the disciples like ‘come on, we are tired’ and then amazed at the miracle. @Jeni B sending prayers.
I love that we see the compassion of Jesus. It is easy at times and other times I am just annoyed with people. Praying we can show compassion to those around us.
Did something change with the comments? I was able to see my comment right away before, and now when I post, it shows my comment is awaiting moderation. But when I commented yesterday it worked fine. Maybe it’s the length?
It’s neat to read this while watching the current season of the Chosen… I couldn’t name all of the disciples before, and now I can remember them and imagine how it may have been for them, being so close to Jesus and following Him.
Today, what stood out to me was the question “Can the people around us taste the hospitality of Christ in our actions?” I admit, more often than not, no… not really. Another question that I’m reflecting on is what drives me? Instead of being driven by compassion like Jesus, I am often driven by anxiety, fear and guilt. I want to be more like Jesus, and have faith and compassion. Lord, please help my unbelief.
Ladies, if you could please pray, I’ve been experiencing a lot of anxiety around my job. It’s my supervisor’s last week and I’m replacing him next week, and I’m dealing with the grief of losing his guidance, the anxiety of filling his shoes, and the uncertainty of how much my raise/promotion salary will be and when. My husband and I have a side business as well that we want to grow this year, and this promotion has been quite a distraction from that. Thank you for your prayers.