Reflection from my reading in Mark 6:30-56 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

Work Hard, Rest Hard!

Jesus and his disciples were exhausted of all their work they didn’t even have time to eat! So Jesus said…

“Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.” Mark 6:31

Jesus modled a life of hard work, but also showed us the value of rest.  As they were going to rest they landed on the other side of the lake a huge crowd had followed them!

Jesus Motivation

“When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.” Mark 6:34

Jesus was exhausted and on his way to his spiritual retreat when his plans were interrupted by love. Because of his compassion he was willing to stop and preach for the rest of the day, long enough that they had to get food for them (feeding of the 5,000)!

Jesus laid down his plan in order to sacrificially love us, and he did it through teaching! 

Compassion Ministry

Often the phrase “compassion ministry” has been reserved for feeding the poor or helping the less fortunate, but sometimes compassion ministry can be teaching God’s word. 

If God has gifted you to teach then often the most compassionate thing that your can do with your time is work hard to teach well.  Like Jesus, love and compassion should be our primary motivation for our preaching and teaching.

When you teach is your motivation to benefit others or make yourself look good?

When you look at the crowd are you filled with genuine love and compassion for them? 

 Share on Facebook or Twitter #1YWJ