Mark 6 Devotional

A Shepherd for the Crowd

“When Jesus stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And He began to teach them many things.”Mark 6:34 (BSB)

Jesus calls his disciples away to rest, but the crowd runs ahead of them and is waiting on the shore. Jesus steps out of the boat and sees sheep with no shepherd, and he has compassion on them (6:34). He teaches them, and when evening comes he takes five loaves and two fish, gives thanks, and feeds thousands until all are satisfied, with twelve baskets left over (6:41-44).

Through Ezekiel, God had promised that he himself would shepherd his flock and give them rest (Ezekiel 34:15). On this hillside the promise has a face. That same night Jesus comes to his disciples across the water as they strain against the wind, and tells them to take courage, because it is he (6:48-50). Mark adds that they still had not understood about the loaves (6:52). The bread was meant to show them who was with them. The Shepherd who fed a crowd in a desolate place has not run short. You can come to him with what little you have.

To think about: Where do you feel that what you have is too little, and how might you place it in the Shepherd's hands today?