Wednesday, 10 July 2013

A HEART OF COMPASSION

I hope you went through yesterdays publication. God speaks to us daily, may we have a teachable spirit that is geared towards pleasing God.


DAY TWO
 
Please carefully read Mark 6:33-37 and answer the following questions.
 
1.  Despite Jesus’ attempt to find rest for Himself and His men, what happened (v. 33)?
 
2.  How did Jesus respond to this delay (v. 34)? In contrast, what was the disciples’ reaction to this (v. 35, 36)?
 
3.  What challenge did Jesus set before the disciples, and what was their reaction to this challenge (v. 37)?
 
4.  In human terms, Jesus had the right to be upset and ignore the needs of the crowd or react like the disciples did, wanting them sent away. Even 200 denarii (the equivalent of about eight months’ wages today[iv]) couldn’t provide them all even a snack! Yet Jesus looked at these people not with human vision, but from the compassion of His heart. The Greek phrase for moved with compassion literally means to be moved as to one’s bowels, or to be moved with or have compassion (the bowels were thought to be the seat of love and pity); it also can be translated to feel deeply or viscerally (in the gut), to yearn, have compassion and pity. This phrase is used in the New Testament only by or about Jesus, and suggests not just pity for someone but His practical help for the one pitied.[v] It is interesting that Jesus began by teaching these people, for their spiritual need was greatest at that moment, but He didn’t ignore their physical needs. 
 
What are some things you glean as you read the following passages about the compassion God has for us as sheep, lost and drifting without a shepherd? Record your thoughts about this.
 
 
Scripture Memory:  Try to fill in the missing words in the blanks below, by memory if at all possible, and then review the passage several times today.
 
And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with _____________________ for them, because they were like _________________ not having a ________________________. So He began to teach them ___________ things. Mark 6:34, nkjv

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