Patient Compassion
READ: Mark 6:31-34
Troy had just gotten home from soccer practice. It was a long, hard practice and he was tired. He had also been up late the previous night studying for a big chemistry test. All he wanted to do was to go to his room and rest. Right after he had gotten there and laid down, however, there was a knock at the door. “Don’t you want something to eat?” It was his mother.
“No,” he said.
A few minutes later there was another knock. It was his dad, reminding Troy that he had to mow the lawn the next day.
Then the phone rang. It was Troy's friend asking him for help on his math homework. Troy was starting to get annoyed by all the interruptions...
I’m sure that most of you have had similar experiences. How did you react? Did you get frustrated or upset and snap at everyone? Or did you take the time to graciously listen to everyone?
Jesus was faced wit a similar situation. He had just spent an entire day preaching to a crowd of over 5,000 people, and he had fed them all, too. Mark 6:32 tells us that Jesus and the disciples wanted to get some rest, but two short verses later it says, “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them...So he began teaching them many things.” Despite the exhaustion of his human body, Jesus was a perfect Shepherd for His sheep and placed their spiritual needs above his physical needs.
Like Troy, Jesus wanted to be alone after a long, grueling day. But unlike Troy, Jesus had had loving compassion on the people, the same compassion he has had on all mankind by dying on the cross for our sins. Just as Jesus has had compassion on you, so also may you strive to have compassion on those around you.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: What are some ways that you could exercise more patience? How can Jesus help you? What can you do if you try and still lose control?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS: Pray that you can learn to have patience with others when you’re having a hard time. Give thanks that God has always shown compassion toward us. Pray for others who you know have little patience.