July 21, 2024
Pastor John Hering
Mark 6:30-34
Mark 6:30-34
The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all that they had done and taught. 31 He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” For there were so many people coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat. 32 They went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. 33 But many people saw them leave and knew where they were going. They ran there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. 34 When Jesus stepped out of the boat, he saw a large crowd. His heart went out to them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. He began to teach them many things.
This past Easter Season on the 4th Sunday of Easter we observed “Good Shepherd Sunday.” More than once I’ve heard someone say, “This is one of my favorite Sundays!” Does that seem strange to you? I don’t think it is because of all the cute and cuddly pictures of lambs in peaceful settings, do you? Yes, lambs are famous alright, but probably famous for being gullible. They’ll drink whatever’s drinkable. They’ll eat whatever’s edible. They’re not strong. Not fast. No hard shell to protect their vital organs. They are an easy and appealing snack for a wolf or practically any other predator interested in meat. Why would we even want to be compared to a little lamb? Would you say it is cute to see a two-year-old child sucking his thumb in the middle of the street with no guardian around? We would be much more likely gasp in horror if there was a flock of children (little lambs) with no shepherd!
Today, we hear Jesus look at the people and Mark uses a very intense word translated, “His heart went out to them.” Jesus was saturated with the deepest pity because of their deepest need! When was this? He saw that the people “were like sheep without a shepherd.” But, that’s not us today. You know how the hymn goes, “I am Jesus’ little lamb, ever glad at heart I am, for my shepherd gently guides me, knows my needs and well provides me, loves me every day the same, even calls me by my name” (CW 804, stanza 1). The whole song is about you being like a little lamb, as you thank Jesus for being your dear Shepherd. We love to sing this hymn because it reminds us to
Be Shepherded Sheep
Recharged for Service
First, let’s consider how Jesus’ disciples were Shepherded Sheep. Last week we heard how Jesus sent these disciples out to preach repentance, talk about Jesus, drive out demons and heal the sick. We’re not told exactly how long they did this or how many people they met along the way. There were plenty who were curious about Jesus and came to see him for themselves. So many people were around that they couldn’t eat. Good problem, right? But even with all the opportunities before them, the very one who sent them into the villages as his apostles, now tells them to go away and rest. Shepherd Jesus knew what his little lambs needed.
“30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all that they had done and taught. 31 He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” For there were so many people coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat.”
But now imagine what it would have been like to be sheep without their Shepherd. I’m sure the apostles were thrilled to go and serve people for Jesus. Hour after hour, day after day they loved seeing what the proclamation of God’s Word was doing! This makes me think of the seminary students who graduated and were assigned to their first place of service at a church. They are full of energy and so eager to proclaim God’s Word to people! I remember those days, too! But, how long can one keep that up without eating or resting physically? The average person could survive about a month without food, and about 11 days without water. The world record for staying awake is 11 days! But, we are told that just 24 hours without sleep and a person will begin to have dangerous side effects. *Reduced reaction time. *Impaired vision. *Slurred speech. *Irritability. Then imagine a hungry, sleepy person handling frustrations, personal attacks, rejection, or confrontation! How long before rejection might rub away their confidence? How about spiritually? When a sheep is without his Shepherd how long do you think it will take before there is burnout, impatience, and anger? What if that happened to you? What if that happened to your pastor? What if parents or children, spouses, friends go without rest with Jesus? How desperately we would need to be Recharged For Service!
There’s a reason God has given us a steady cycle of day and night, work and rest. There’s a reason he gave the command to “Remember the Sabbath day,” the day of spiritual rest. Our Shepherd knows that his little lambs need regular rest both physically, emotionally, spiritually. It may seem like a small point to make, but it’s actually a huge deal for us to get regular rest like that! To be Recharged For Service we need to Be Shepherded Sheep!
When Jesus finds his disciples he commands them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” We need to rest with our Shepherd. Our Shepherd gives our souls and our faith rest by coming to us through his Word.
“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”
Matthew 11:28
You know the rest Jesus gives you. Worries, troubles, guilt, sorrow, anxiety all melt away when you look to the cross and there see Jesus who died to wash away all your sins. There you see Jesus who laid down his life for you. There you see the nails in his hands and feet where he suffered the penalty of hell and rescued you from the power of the devil. In Jesus, the Good Shepherd you are secure. There at the cross Shepherded Sheep are Recharged For Service. And here in God’s house, we are
2. Taught For Life
You can picture the disciples all too happy to follow Jesus’ command and get away to rest.
“32 They went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves.”
Nobody goes away to an Airbnb and upon arrival expects the owner to say, “I’ve been waiting for you. Would you please mow the lawn, pull the weeds and pain the house?” Don’t you wish you could have been sitting in the boat with the disciples listening to their conversation when this happened!
“33 But many people saw them leave and knew where they were going. They ran there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them.”
They may have said, “So much for resting. Those people are so selfish! I really don’t like these people very much!” And then they heard a lesson from Jesus.
“34 When Jesus stepped out of the boat, he saw a large crowd. His heart went out to them because they were like sheep without a shepherd.”
People in Jesus’ day were sadly not being fed with God’s Word in their synagogues. Instead the message was more about man-made laws and self-righteousness. They were indeed “like sheep without a shepherd.” We know from Scriptures that many of these people followed Jesus more to see a miracle than to learn from him. They were seeking a bread king, not a Savior-King. But that fact didn’t turn Jesus off to them. In fact, like a Shepherd would, he was moved to compassion and jumped at the chance to be a true shepherd in their lives. And what did he to do shepherd them? “He began to teach them many things.” This speaks volumes to how Jesus shepherds his sheep! He does not remove all trials and afflictions from our lives (though he will one day!) He doesn’t shepherd them by healing all their diseases and pains. He doesn’t shepherd them by lavishing upon them whatever they ask for with a magical shepherd’s staff. No – when Jesus had a crowd of sheep without a shepherd, he taught them many things for this life and the life to come. Would you like to guess what Jesus taught them? How about the kingdom of God! They heard how they were sinners forgiven. They heard how Jesus opened the gate of heaven for them. They learned about Jesus who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. They learned that trusting in Jesus as the Son of God would result in true rest, life and salvation!
These are not just lessons, not mere teaching, but Jesus’ saving Word! Holy Scripture is the voice of your Shepherd as he Teaches You For Life! The Word is the Shepherd’s staff and rod. This Word is his warning cry and his watchful eye! This Word is his comforting embrace! This Word is his guiding footsteps! This Word gave all the people the rest they needed that would last forever!
What teaching, or what instruction could strengthen you in your weakness and support you when you need help? Ask those questions about the Bible and seek the answers from the Bible. Without his Word, we too are like sheep without a shepherd and our faith will not survive. With his Word, we are still sheep , but we are Shepherded Sheep. We are sheep Taught For Life and armed with all our Shepherd’s equipment, all his benefits, all his skills at work for us.
I think I know why we so many enjoy hearing about Jesus our Good Shepherd. It is good for us to think seriously about the resting and shepherding we need from Jesus through his Word. Memorize your favorite phrases, meditate upon his teachings, his promises and comforts. Pray that you may learn your Shepherd’s voice so that he can be refreshed as he Teaches You For Life. When you are a Shepherded Sheep Recharged for Service and Taught For Life a crazy thing happens…. You are a sheep who is strong in your weaknesses, who rejoices in God despite unhappy circumstances, when you are forgiven even though you have sinned greatly, when you trust you are truly blessed and rich in God even though you feel poor and empty in the world. Today give thanks to God that you are Shepherded Sheep Recharged for Service and Taught For Life! Amen!
