Mark 6:30-56
30 Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. 31 And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. 32 So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.
33 But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. 34 And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. 35 When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, “This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late. 36 Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat.”
37 But He answered and said to them, “You give them something to eat.”
And they said to Him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?”
38 But He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.”
And when they found out they said, “Five, and two fish.”
39 Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties. 41 And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all. 42 So they all ate and were filled. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish. 44 Now those who had eaten the loaves were about five thousand men.
45 Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. 46 And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. 47 Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land. 48 Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. 49 And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; 50 for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” 51 Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. 52 For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.
53 When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there. 54 And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, 55 ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was. 56 Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.
In today’s reading the disciples have returned from being sent by Jesus (see yesterday’s reading). After their adventures our Lord invites them to rest from their labors. When Jesus sees the multitudes, Mark records that He “was moved with compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd.” Jesus then goes on to feed well over 5,000 people, multiplying bread and fish to satiate them all, and there are plenty of leftovers to boot! Then Jesus calms the disciples when they were caught in the midst of a storm and healed all who came to Him.
Jesus gives, multiplies, provides, calms, and heals. This is exactly what our good and gracious God does every time we participate in the Divine Service. He Himself is our Good Shepherd who has given us His undershepherds, His pastors, to give, multiply, provide, calm, and heal us through their faithful delivery of Word and Sacrament – through their faithful delivery of Jesus for you.
No one should be without a shepherd. The “shepherds” in Jesus’ day were the religious leaders, the Pharisees and Sadducees, who knew nothing of Jesus as Messiah and fulfiller of all OT prophecies and Who came to bring forgiveness. Therefore, they could not comfort, feed, guide, or calm the people. The only message they had to deliver was Law and fear.
If you, by God-given faith, believe that Jesus died for your sins, rose from the dead, and will come again to take you to be with Him in heaven, you have forgiveness and the promise of eternal life. That comfort, healing, guidance, and calm is the “glue” that holds you together throughout this life. Jesus is your Savior. He is your Good Shepherd. He has paid for your sins and continues to feed you with His forgiveness and strength through the Gospel rightly preached and His Sacraments rightly administered.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, thank You for paying for my sins. Keep me in the one true faith until You call me Home. Amen.
