How do You View Jesus Mark 6

How do You View Jesus Mark 6:30-34 EBC  10/11/09

  Some people see God as being so high and holy that He has no time for people like you and me. Others see Him as resembling a doting old grandfather who winks at sin and just kind of watches His creation with amusement to see what will happen next. How do you view Jesus? He is untouched by our wickedness and cannot look upon our sins. He certainly does not wink at our sins and sit back as the universe does its own thing. He is a God who is in control of all things at all times. But, like a doting grandfather, He is a God Who cares.

  It may surprise some to think about God being a caring God. He is often portrayed as a God of wrath and judgment. That is one side of His character. However, He is also a God of love, compassion and intimacy. He is a God who cares.

  One reason He cares is because He knows what we face in life. He knows this because He came to this world and lived among us for a time. God Almighty actually robed Himself in human flesh so that He might live among men and die on a cross for sinners. Phil. 2:5-8

  While He was here, He endured more than His share of pain, poverty and suffering.

   1-He knows what it is like to do without, Matt. 8:20.

   2- He knows what it is like to be rejected, John 1:11.

   3- He knows what it is like to be hated. He knows what it is like to suffer pain.

   4- He knows what it is like to be hungry, thirsty and alone.

    5- He knows what it is like to die. Jesus walked through this world and experienced what He did so that He might better help you in your time of need.

I.He Cares about Laboring Servants (30-32)

  A.Their activity

    1. Jesus sent the disciples out to minister. Their ministry had been a real success and now they were back to make a report to Him.

      a. There is no greater thrill than to be used of God. To lead a soul to Christ and or help change the direction of a backslidden soul.

        1.William Kelly-  “It would be well for us if we needed thus to rest more; that is to say, if our labors were so abundant, our self-denying efforts for the blessing of others were so continual, that we could be sure that this was the Lord’s word for us”      

      b. Just imagine that God would want to use us to do His work. It is His work but he has chosen to use us to carry it thru.

        1. Matt. 28:19-20-

        2. John 15:16- God has chosen us to assist him in his work

        3. James 2:18- our labor proves the reality of our faith

   B. His advice (31-32)

     1. Jesus now gives some strange advice- he tells them to rest. Most people would have said to press on. Jesus in his infinite wisdom and knowledge said- come apart to rest.

       a. One thing that is so important to our bodies is rest. Some people do nothing but rest others never rest- neither is correct.

       b. Being tired and torn out we are susceptible to spiritual mistakes.

       c. Prayer is the main secret of success in spiritual business. It moves him who can move heaven and earth. It brings down the promised aid of the Holy Spirit, without whom the finest sermons, the clearest teaching and hardest work are all alike in vain. It is not always those who have the most eminent gifts who are most successful laborers for God. It is generally those who keep up closest communion with Christ and are most instant in prayer.

         1. We need to understand the personal privacy is the key to spiritual success. Jesus wanted to get them apart to have some private moments with Him.

         1. Acts 1:8- we are born again to be witnesses.

         2. Matt. 5:16- we are to be lights to the world.

    2. They could have been lifted up with spiritual pride. The disciples work wasn’t about them it was about Him.

      a. Jesus removed them from the limelight for awhile to give them a proper perspective.

        1. Gal. 2:20-

        2. Isa. 64:6-

        3. Phil. 4:13-

II.He Cares about Lost Sheep (33-34)

  Jesus and his men slipped away but they didn’t go unnoticed. The people ran around the shoreline and were on the other side when Jesus got there.

    1. It was approx. 4 miles across the lake and 10 miles round it. On a windless day you could walk around the lake faster than a boat could go across it.

  B. When Jesus saw these people he was moved with compassion.

  C. When we see people there are several reactions that we can have:

    1. Apathy- the absence of emotion. You see a need but you don’t care.

    2. Sympathy- you see a need and you know how they fell because you have been there.

    3. Empathy- this is deeper than just sympathy, you actually hurt with them.

    4. Compassion- “to move inwardly”, the deepest possible feelings. This is where we get the idea “from the bottom of my heart”.

      1. Someone has described it like this- sympathy coupled with a strong desire to help.

  A. His reasoning (33-34a)

    1. Jesus saw them as a flock having no leader. He saw them as helpless lambs with no one who cared.

    2. He knew they had religious leaders but he also knew the religious leaders had no deep love for them. Folks the only one that loves us unconditionally is Jesus.

    3. Jesus understood sheep without a shepherd can’t find their way

    4. Jesus understood sheep without a shepherd are defenseless.

     5. Although Jesus knew all about them, he didn’t let that get in the way of His compassion for them. When you see people what do you see- some people see only the bad- Jesus not only saw them he also saw what they could be.

  B. His reaction (34b)

    1. As He looked out over that crowd he saw every need- the depressed, the injured, the emotional, the abused, the rebellious.

    2. He didn’t reject them, he didn’t confront them and tell them how bad they were- He pointed them to God.

      a. Jesus never passed by the opportunity to teach. David McKenna- “If emotions run high enough, no one stops to ask whether what is being taught is right or wrong. Jesus, however, refuses to play the game that will make the masses shallow believers whose faith has to be constantly reinforced by emotional jags. He teaches them many things in order to build under their enthusiasm the foundations of truth that will sustain them when feelings fall and He is not physically present. Jesus sets the example for all leaders of the masses who have true compassion and unblemished integrity”.

       b. Weust- “the people had grown tired of powerless teaching by the rabbis’.

    3. People today need direction- are you willing to help?

Where does this message find you? Are you a wounded soldier, a suffering saint or a lost sinner? Any of these come to Jesus and He will restore you.