Mark 6:30-34 Jesus Love and Compassion

Joel and Mary Nadel

From J.C. Ryle’s “Expository Comments on the Gospels - Mark”

House Rules: Phones, Respect, Stay on the Text

Mark 6:30–34 NASB95

The apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves. 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. 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.

Pray

Introduction and Review

Summary of Jesus’ ministry

What is the Gospel?

Jesus’ message - “The kingdom of Heaven is at hand, repent and believe the gospel”

Review the gospel

His teaching with signs and wonders

Focuses on the Gospel

How to have peace with God

Consequences: Rebellion against God

Miracles to prove who He is and the truth He preaches

Healing sickness

Casting out demons

Controlling the weather

Raising the dead, Jairus daughter

Training the Apostles

The murder of John the Baptist

Today:

The apostles report back, rest, but the mission continues

Christians and ministers need time for Jesus to minister to them

Map of Galilee

First - The Apostles gather again

Note what the apostles did when they returned

Mark 6:30 “The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught.”

Why is this a good thing to do?

They shared their experiences and learned from each other

They shared with their master and got feedback - what they had done and taught

Center of their unity

An example to all ministers and Christians

Spend time with the Lord - make time - at least daily

share everything with Him

Study His Word

Spend time with the Lord when you have been sharing the Gospel

Ps. 32:8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.”

Prayer is the main secret of success

Engages God, who can move heaven and earth

Brings assistance from the Holy Spirit - without this, preaching, teaching, ministering are in vain

Ezekiel 37:9 NASB95

Then He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they come to life.” ’ ”

Both preaching and prayer ministries are important in a church

Ministers - not only can He preach well, but does He pray?

Acts 6:4 NASB95

“But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

Mark 6:31 NASB95

And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.)

Second - Jesus’ instruction to the Apostles when they returned

Note Jesus’ instructions to the apostles upon their return from their first public ministry:“Come away by yourselves to a desert place and rest a while.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mk 6:31.Third - the feelings of our Lord Jesus toward the people

Why is it good to get away sometimes? Is this good all the time?

Jesus is concerned and cares for His disciples

Knows they are flesh and blood as well as spirit - both bodies and souls

Knows they have weaknesses

Does not expect more than they have strength for

Asks for what we CAN do, not for what we cannot do

Come away and rest awhile

Sadly, there are few among today’s Christians that need these words

Few in danger of overwork or injuring themselves because of ministry to others

Majority are lazy and do nothing for the world around them

Few need to be held back, more need a kick

Do a little, but do it well

Watch your heart, self examination, meditate

Our productivity as Christians is tied to how we care for our own souls. Sometimes, taking a break is a good idea

Mark 6:34 NASB95

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.

Third - Jesus felt compassion for the people who came to Him.

He had compassion on them - they were like sheep without a shepherd

No teachers - Scribes and Pharisees were blind guides

No scriptural “food”, only manmade tradition

Thousands of immortal souls stood there, ignorant, helpless, headed for damnation

Touched His heart - moved with compassion - began to teach them many things

This is the same now. Over 400 churches in Colo Spgs. Other groups claiming to have answers.

We Christians have the answers. Is it now our duty to at least share those with the lost?

The Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever

never changes

High in heaven, at God’s right hand, still has compassion on the children of men

Pities the uninformed - the misguided

Will teach them many things

Has a special love toward those who hear His voice

A general love toward mankind, love of concern and compassion

Christ cares for everyone, not just believers - Christians are to tell even the worst sinners, that Jesus cares for them, is willing to save them, and wants them to believe and be saved

Bringing it all home

Ask ourselves: do we know the mind of Christ?

Are we like Him? Do we love the lost?

Like Him, do we care for all who are sheep without a shepherd?

Do we care about the unrepentant, and the ungodly who are our friends and neighbors?

Do we care about those in false religions?

Do we use all our resources and give money willingly, to spread the gospel?

These questions demand a reply

The person who cares nothing for the souls of other people is not like Christ - he or she may not even be saved.

Questions, Prayers