Mark 6:34 – And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
Jesus saw everything from a different perspective than the natural man does. He looked at this crowd and instead of seeing an enormous problem He saw broken lives and broken dreams. He saw sheep without a shepherd being brutalized by all of the enemies that are around all of us everyday. He saw those confused with no purpose or direction in their lives. He saw the poor and desperate with no means to supply for themselves and no hope in the dangerous political and economic challenges they faced. He also saw those captured by the temptations always pushing at us in this life. When He saw all of this He was moved with compassion. Here is how Barclay describes this moment.
A sheep without the shepherd cannot find the way. Left to ourselves, we get lost in life. Life can be so bewildering. We can stand at some crossroads and not know which way to take. It is only when Jesus leads and we follow that we can find the way.
(2) A sheep without the shepherd cannot find its pasture and its food. In this life, we are bound to seek for sustenance. We need the strength which can keep us going; we need the inspiration which can lift us out of ourselves and above ourselves. When we seek it elsewhere, our minds are still unsatisfied, our hearts still restless, our souls still unfed. We can gain strength for life only from him who is the living bread.
(3) A sheep without the shepherd has no defense against the dangers which threaten it. It can defend itself neither from robbers nor from wild animals. If life has taught us one thing, it must be that we cannot live it alone. No one has a sure defense against the temptations which assail us and from the evil of the world which attacks us. Only in the company of Jesus can we walk in the world and remain untainted by it. Without him we are defenseless; with him we are safe.
Jesus is the same today as he was then. He is still the Great Shepherd of the sheep and the Teacher who leads us into all truth. Maybe you are disoriented with no purpose or direction just tossed to and fro by all of the circumstances you face. He will be your guide. Maybe life is just a struggle for you, never able to get by and not knowing how to make ends meet. Look to Him, He is still Jehovah Jireh and will provide all that you need. Or maybe you keep falling into the traps brought about by temptation. He is your strength and able to keep you from falling. He is moved with compassion as He looks at you, He still calms the sea and multiplies fish and bread like He always has.
