Mark Devotions
[Please do read the passage before (or after) reading the devotion.]
Crowds followed Jesus even when he tried to get some “alone time” for himself, and with his disciples. Were they really faithful in their following? Were any of them around to speak up for him at the end? John says that they followed him mostly because of what they could get from him – healing, food, and inspirational words (cf. John 6:26; 7:31). Isn’t that true about us so often? And yet Jesus was never impatient with them. The word Mark uses is that he had “compassion” on them, and therefore consistently ministered to them, whatever their response! So once again, Jesus feeds this huge crowd of people with nothing but a few loaves of bread and some fish. This time there are 4000+ people. And again there is enough food and more, evidenced by the 7 basketfuls of leftovers. And all because of “compassion.” He hasn’t changed; that’s still the way he treats us.
Prayer: Thank you, my Lord Jesus, that you show your compassion to everyone that follows you; and it is never conditional. You love us and meet our deepest needs irrespective of how we treat you. Which is why I ask your forgiveness, Lord. I have not given you the love, gratitude and respect you desire as my response to your love. Even though I may not have said so consciously, I have often treated you as a benevolent Santa Claus who exists to only keep giving me things. But you still don’t stop loving me; you give enough and more, just like those miracles. In fact, without my asking, you came to meet my greatest need – and give me what I needed most – newness and life. Thank you, Lord. Amen.
