WEBVTT 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:07.320 It's no fun, is it, trying to understand something that you just can't get hold of. 00:00:08.980 --> 00:00:15.000 It's the experience, isn't it? Do you remember maths in school? You just couldn't grasp it, or I couldn't grasp it. 00:00:15.300 --> 00:00:18.140 And you knew that you didn't understand it for your science. 00:00:19.039 --> 00:00:23.980 And that's the experience of those who are struggling to understand, but they know they are struggling to understand. 00:00:24.820 --> 00:00:29.560 But there are those of us out there who struggle to understand and we're not even aware of it. 00:00:30.739 --> 00:00:34.579 You observe that too, don't you? There's sometimes somebody will crack a joke. 00:00:35.280 --> 00:00:38.460 And people will laugh along, but they don't know why they're laughing. 00:00:39.460 --> 00:00:44.799 Or somebody gives you an instruction and they just fail to take it on board. 00:00:45.579 --> 00:00:48.760 And they're struggling to understand without really realising it. 00:00:50.079 --> 00:00:53.140 And it doesn't come with the same level of frustration, does it? 00:00:53.140 --> 00:00:56.280 If you don't know that you've not understood something, you're not frustrated. 00:00:57.240 --> 00:00:59.799 But in lots of ways, it's a much worse situation to be in. 00:01:00.619 --> 00:01:06.379 Because at least when you know that you're not getting something, you can seek to find ways to find out. 00:01:07.079 --> 00:01:11.239 But when you're oblivious to your failure to understand, you just continue in your ignorance. 00:01:11.359 --> 00:01:11.960 You just don't know. 00:01:13.340 --> 00:01:15.900 And I'm never sure which camp Jesus' disciples are in. 00:01:15.900 --> 00:01:19.520 Do they know that they don't understand? 00:01:20.120 --> 00:01:22.300 Or are they just oblivious? 00:01:23.240 --> 00:01:26.160 They are infamously slow to learn. 00:01:26.159 --> 00:01:30.920 But I think it's difficult to work out how self-aware the disciples are. 00:01:32.219 --> 00:01:37.000 Are they struggling to understand Jesus, who he is, and what he's come for? 00:01:37.859 --> 00:01:41.859 And they know they're not getting it, so they're a bit frustrated, and maybe they're a bit impatient. 00:01:42.540 --> 00:01:46.819 But then on the other hand, at different times, it seems they struggle to see Jesus for who he is. 00:01:47.379 --> 00:01:49.680 And they're really oblivious to the fact that they don't get it. 00:01:49.680 --> 00:01:53.180 One thing I do know is this. 00:01:53.600 --> 00:01:54.940 We shouldn't be that quick to judge. 00:01:56.040 --> 00:02:05.500 I have often heard sermons and read commentaries where people are very critical of Jesus' disciples for being slow on the uptick. 00:02:05.500 --> 00:02:12.979 And it's possible, I think, to read the Gospels in a way where you think that the disciples are like dumb and dumber. 00:02:14.300 --> 00:02:16.400 But who is not to say that you are not like them? 00:02:17.879 --> 00:02:21.840 Is it really possible to be struggling to understand without really realizing it? 00:02:21.860 --> 00:02:22.639 And I think it is. 00:02:24.580 --> 00:02:29.280 And so maybe some of us should look in the mirror and see that we are as slow to learn as well. 00:02:30.719 --> 00:02:35.319 And Mark's Gospel particularly picks out this strand of the disciples struggling to understand. 00:02:35.500 --> 00:02:38.319 And this passage is very, very helpful. 00:02:38.419 --> 00:02:42.159 Now I want to look at the four sections that we're going to see, and I've divided them up. 00:02:42.479 --> 00:02:45.560 So verses 30 to 34, I want us to see the mission's fruit. 00:02:47.360 --> 00:02:51.699 The mission that the disciples have just been on, we don't read about that on your sheets. 00:02:51.759 --> 00:02:53.400 You can read about it earlier in chapter 6. 00:02:53.979 --> 00:02:58.159 But our passage opens with a kind of feedback session. 00:02:58.159 --> 00:02:58.979 Look at verse 30. 00:02:59.280 --> 00:03:02.900 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they'd done and taught. 00:03:02.900 --> 00:03:06.580 And he said to them, come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while. 00:03:07.219 --> 00:03:11.360 The many were coming and going and they had no leisure even to eat. 00:03:13.140 --> 00:03:15.879 Twelve generated a lot of interest in the kingdom of God. 00:03:16.759 --> 00:03:19.099 So people come very curious to find out more. 00:03:19.159 --> 00:03:23.400 They come from the villages around and the crowds want to see and they want to hear more. 00:03:24.420 --> 00:03:27.960 So much so that it was really hard for Jesus and the disciples even to get a dinner break. 00:03:27.960 --> 00:03:29.980 So they try and get away from the crowds. 00:03:30.159 --> 00:03:33.860 Verse 32, they went in a boat and they go to a desolate place by themselves. 00:03:35.140 --> 00:03:43.280 But the appetite of the crowd is so insatiable that they predict where Jesus is going and they run ahead to the place where they went. 00:03:43.400 --> 00:03:44.200 So verse 34. 00:03:46.200 --> 00:03:48.400 And when he went ashore, he saw a great crowd. 00:03:48.400 --> 00:03:53.879 And he had compassion on them. 00:03:54.740 --> 00:03:56.379 Because they were like sheep without a shepherd. 00:03:56.520 --> 00:03:58.240 And he began to teach them many things. 00:03:59.900 --> 00:04:01.700 Now I think that is an amazing verse. 00:04:03.159 --> 00:04:05.780 And there's three things in particular I think which are amazing about it. 00:04:05.819 --> 00:04:08.939 First of all, Jesus who is exhausted and who is tired. 00:04:09.080 --> 00:04:13.879 He saw the crowd and he had compassion on them. 00:04:13.879 --> 00:04:21.040 If this story was about me, I can guarantee you there is one word that would not be in the middle of that verse. 00:04:21.139 --> 00:04:22.060 And it's the word compassion. 00:04:23.240 --> 00:04:26.360 When I'm exhausted and I'm desperate for a break from people. 00:04:27.100 --> 00:04:30.719 And then I discover that some very persistent people interrupt me. 00:04:31.199 --> 00:04:32.500 And they trap me down. 00:04:33.219 --> 00:04:35.560 When I see them and I open the door to them. 00:04:35.659 --> 00:04:37.500 I am not compassionate. 00:04:37.659 --> 00:04:38.219 I am frustrated. 00:04:38.480 --> 00:04:39.199 Sometimes angry. 00:04:39.360 --> 00:04:40.240 Sometimes overwhelmed. 00:04:40.420 --> 00:04:41.560 Sometimes even despairing. 00:04:41.560 --> 00:04:43.079 But not Jesus. 00:04:43.180 --> 00:04:44.240 He is filled with compassion. 00:04:46.160 --> 00:04:50.579 And in the same circumstances, my default is to worry about my own needs and my own circumstances. 00:04:50.860 --> 00:04:53.560 But Jesus' default is to look to the needs of others. 00:04:54.319 --> 00:04:58.579 The second amazing thing is, look at how Mark describes Jesus' attitude to the crowds. 00:04:58.699 --> 00:05:01.660 He says, they are as sheep without a shepherd. 00:05:03.540 --> 00:05:05.920 And that's not only a really powerful metaphor. 00:05:06.399 --> 00:05:08.980 But actually, it's a blast from the past. 00:05:09.100 --> 00:05:10.860 It's talking about something in their history. 00:05:11.560 --> 00:05:19.740 In the Old Testament, that phrase is used to describe what life was like for Israel when their leaders, spiritual and national leaders, failed them. 00:05:21.199 --> 00:05:26.860 And so it's hard to miss the fact, isn't it, that Jesus sees himself as the leader of the people of Israel. 00:05:27.319 --> 00:05:29.620 He's the leader the people of Israel have always needed. 00:05:30.480 --> 00:05:33.560 They're not only a curious crowd, they are a shepherdless crowd. 00:05:33.879 --> 00:05:35.579 And Jesus has come to shepherd them. 00:05:35.579 --> 00:05:41.199 And the third amazing thing about verse 34 is what Jesus does with his compassion. 00:05:41.959 --> 00:05:42.620 You see that? 00:05:42.759 --> 00:05:45.180 With his compassion on them, they are like sheep without a shepherd. 00:05:45.339 --> 00:05:48.360 And he began to teach them many things. 00:05:50.139 --> 00:05:51.479 He could see deep into their hearts. 00:05:51.579 --> 00:05:54.779 He could see them and then lead like no one else could. 00:05:55.360 --> 00:05:56.500 He felt for them deeply. 00:05:56.500 --> 00:06:00.759 And because he felt for them deeply, he fed them with God's word. 00:06:02.060 --> 00:06:05.000 And he knows that what they needed more than anything else was God's truth. 00:06:06.379 --> 00:06:12.779 And having fed them with the word of God, Mark then tells us that he fed them with food as well. 00:06:12.839 --> 00:06:16.279 And so we see secondly the feeding miracle in verses 35 to 44. 00:06:16.279 --> 00:06:19.799 And basically it's a really common problem. 00:06:20.399 --> 00:06:22.019 People are hungry, they're out of the desert. 00:06:22.279 --> 00:06:23.519 And Jesus has been teaching them. 00:06:23.599 --> 00:06:26.979 It's very late in the day and the disciples think the crowd should be dismissed. 00:06:28.000 --> 00:06:29.679 So they can head to a surrounding village. 00:06:29.819 --> 00:06:31.679 They can go to a restaurant or the supermarket. 00:06:33.639 --> 00:06:35.599 But Jesus had other ideas. 00:06:36.419 --> 00:06:39.839 And to begin with, he suggests to the disciples that he could feed the crowd. 00:06:39.979 --> 00:06:41.979 And it makes absolutely no sense to them. 00:06:43.059 --> 00:06:45.579 So they explain to Jesus, listen, if you're going to feed this crowd, 00:06:45.579 --> 00:06:49.639 it'll take nearly half a year's wage to feed these people and we can't do it. 00:06:50.719 --> 00:06:53.819 And I'm guessing that is exactly what Jesus wants them to realise. 00:06:54.000 --> 00:06:55.620 That they can't do it. 00:06:56.479 --> 00:06:57.339 They can't do it. 00:06:57.419 --> 00:06:58.180 But he can. 00:06:59.740 --> 00:07:02.500 It's a common problem that meets with an uncommon solution. 00:07:03.539 --> 00:07:06.479 And Jesus asks, what food do you have? 00:07:06.579 --> 00:07:09.939 And they say, well there's a little kid here, he's got five loaves and two fish. 00:07:11.579 --> 00:07:13.579 Jesus divides the group onto the grass. 00:07:14.099 --> 00:07:15.419 And then he takes the bread and the fish. 00:07:15.420 --> 00:07:18.759 He gives thanks to God and he asks the disciples to distribute the food. 00:07:19.040 --> 00:07:26.160 Now note the astonishing thing we're told at the end of verse 44. 00:07:28.640 --> 00:07:33.360 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men. 00:07:35.000 --> 00:07:36.780 He divides them up, doesn't he? 00:07:37.580 --> 00:07:39.000 He divides them up. 00:07:39.740 --> 00:07:42.040 And they ate verse 42 and were satisfied. 00:07:43.779 --> 00:07:45.139 Now I've just given the game away. 00:07:45.439 --> 00:07:50.019 But actually the whole point of Mark's narrative is you don't know how many there are until verse 44. 00:07:50.019 --> 00:07:54.759 We know that it's a big enough group for people to be broken into groups of fifties and hundreds. 00:07:55.399 --> 00:07:57.620 So it's much bigger than the average church picnic. 00:07:58.620 --> 00:08:02.240 It's much bigger than school outing. 00:08:02.240 --> 00:08:11.860 And we need to remember that the amount of food that Jesus had really on a hungry day I could probably eat myself. 00:08:13.680 --> 00:08:16.120 And here he divides it up and everyone gets something. 00:08:16.220 --> 00:08:18.819 Verse 42, they all ate and were satisfied. 00:08:18.819 --> 00:08:22.139 And then we find out there are leftovers. 00:08:22.399 --> 00:08:23.379 Verse 43. 00:08:25.860 --> 00:08:29.060 And I think Jesus is just showing off at that point. 00:08:29.259 --> 00:08:32.240 They took up twelve baskets of full broken pieces and a fish. 00:08:33.700 --> 00:08:36.919 And to cap it all, verse 44, you see these five thousand. 00:08:37.779 --> 00:08:40.240 And that's men, not including women and children. 00:08:40.240 --> 00:08:47.120 It's a miracle of incredible proportions. 00:08:48.399 --> 00:08:52.200 He's taken a scrap of food and he's turned it into a meal for thousands. 00:08:52.440 --> 00:08:53.220 And they all have enough. 00:08:54.419 --> 00:08:56.720 And there's some left over for lunch boxes the next day. 00:08:56.779 --> 00:08:57.240 It's amazing. 00:08:59.200 --> 00:09:04.100 But it's important that we're not so amazed by the miracle that you don't see what this means. 00:09:04.419 --> 00:09:06.139 You need to see what this means. 00:09:07.419 --> 00:09:09.379 And again, it's a blast from the past. 00:09:10.240 --> 00:09:11.820 Because where did the miracle happen? 00:09:11.919 --> 00:09:13.519 It happened in a desolate place. 00:09:15.480 --> 00:09:17.460 It occurred in a desert region. 00:09:17.740 --> 00:09:20.399 And here is an amazing provision from God. 00:09:21.560 --> 00:09:25.360 And it's an amazing provision of God of bread from heaven. 00:09:26.419 --> 00:09:28.600 And if you're familiar with the Israelites in the Exodus, 00:09:29.940 --> 00:09:32.120 you'll have noticed there's close parallels, aren't there, 00:09:32.159 --> 00:09:34.620 between the provision of manna for the Israelites in the wilderness. 00:09:34.940 --> 00:09:35.919 Manna was a kind of bread. 00:09:36.000 --> 00:09:37.340 You can read about it in Exodus 16. 00:09:37.340 --> 00:09:43.700 And just as God supplied all his people's needs in the desolate place back in Exodus, 00:09:44.280 --> 00:09:46.120 so now Jesus does. 00:09:47.160 --> 00:09:50.720 And it's as if Jesus is doing something that God is famous for. 00:09:52.180 --> 00:09:55.620 And that perhaps tells you and I something about the identity of Jesus. 00:09:55.980 --> 00:09:57.800 And the next segment of the narrative, 00:09:58.180 --> 00:09:59.720 the hints about who Jesus is, 00:09:59.800 --> 00:10:01.420 start to come thicker and faster. 00:10:01.419 --> 00:10:04.559 And this time it's the walking miracle. 00:10:05.699 --> 00:10:07.279 And Jesus walks on the lake. 00:10:08.199 --> 00:10:12.279 And that evening Jesus sent his disciples ahead of him by boat 00:10:12.279 --> 00:10:14.719 so he could have some time alone to pray. 00:10:15.120 --> 00:10:16.199 And when he was on the land, 00:10:16.379 --> 00:10:20.199 Jesus can see his disciples rowing into the wind and straining at the oars. 00:10:20.200 --> 00:10:22.340 So he goes to them. 00:10:22.480 --> 00:10:23.340 And his intention, 00:10:24.360 --> 00:10:26.680 which is so strange, isn't it? 00:10:27.600 --> 00:10:30.480 That his intention was to pass them by. 00:10:30.660 --> 00:10:32.340 Look at the end of verse 48. 00:10:32.440 --> 00:10:33.300 It is astonishing. 00:10:34.800 --> 00:10:37.160 It's a really strange detail for Mark to include. 00:10:37.220 --> 00:10:38.100 It doesn't need to be there. 00:10:38.180 --> 00:10:39.259 So why is it there? 00:10:39.259 --> 00:10:44.120 And I can't help wonder whether we're meant to hear that phrase again and again 00:10:44.120 --> 00:10:45.580 and we're meant to hear the echo. 00:10:47.419 --> 00:10:50.460 In the Old Testament scene from Exodus 33 and 34, 00:10:50.559 --> 00:10:54.039 in the narrative where God reveals himself to Moses 00:10:54.039 --> 00:10:59.500 and God's glory passes by Moses 00:10:59.500 --> 00:11:02.179 and Moses hides in the cleft of a rock. 00:11:03.740 --> 00:11:07.399 And when they see him walking by on the lake, 00:11:07.399 --> 00:11:10.019 the disciples are terrified and they think they've seen a ghost. 00:11:10.139 --> 00:11:11.759 But Jesus responds by telling them, 00:11:11.899 --> 00:11:12.360 verse 50, 00:11:12.740 --> 00:11:14.919 Take heart, it is I, do not be afraid. 00:11:15.039 --> 00:11:16.959 And again, I think we see the echo. 00:11:18.480 --> 00:11:20.500 We hear countless times in the Old Testament 00:11:20.500 --> 00:11:23.360 when people caught a glimpse of God's glory 00:11:23.360 --> 00:11:24.579 and they had to be told, 00:11:24.899 --> 00:11:26.059 Do not be afraid. 00:11:28.059 --> 00:11:29.100 And straight after that, 00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:31.019 Jesus says something of immense significance. 00:11:31.019 --> 00:11:31.980 Verse 50, 00:11:32.439 --> 00:11:35.139 Take heart, it is I. 00:11:35.299 --> 00:11:36.840 And again, the echo comes. 00:11:36.840 --> 00:11:38.580 Literally, he's saying, 00:11:38.800 --> 00:11:40.720 Take heart, I am. 00:11:42.980 --> 00:11:47.139 And you think back to Moses at the bush which didn't burn in Exodus 3 00:11:47.139 --> 00:11:48.100 and God says, 00:11:48.440 --> 00:11:49.440 I am who I am. 00:11:49.600 --> 00:11:50.600 And the child of the Israelites, 00:11:50.780 --> 00:11:51.940 I am has sent you. 00:11:53.440 --> 00:11:55.320 And Jesus is taking on his lips 00:11:55.320 --> 00:11:56.879 some very significant words 00:11:56.879 --> 00:11:59.420 that God used to reveal himself to his people. 00:11:59.419 --> 00:12:01.919 And then we're told, aren't we, 00:12:01.959 --> 00:12:04.079 that when he climbed into the boat, 00:12:04.179 --> 00:12:05.939 the wind immediately died down 00:12:05.939 --> 00:12:07.639 and we're back to Mark 4 00:12:07.639 --> 00:12:09.279 where the stilling of the storm of the word. 00:12:10.919 --> 00:12:12.219 And it's a reminder to you and I 00:12:12.219 --> 00:12:15.559 that Jesus can do what only God can do. 00:12:16.879 --> 00:12:18.479 The wind may have died down, 00:12:18.559 --> 00:12:20.500 but the minds of the disciples are racing 00:12:20.500 --> 00:12:21.899 and they're anything but calm 00:12:21.899 --> 00:12:24.539 and no doubt they've got fear coursing through their veins. 00:12:24.539 --> 00:12:25.539 And verse 51, 00:12:25.719 --> 00:12:26.679 they are astounded. 00:12:27.860 --> 00:12:29.539 But again, note the surprise. 00:12:30.579 --> 00:12:31.679 Mark also reminds us 00:12:31.679 --> 00:12:33.299 they were astounded 00:12:33.299 --> 00:12:34.839 and they are confused, 00:12:34.980 --> 00:12:35.579 verse 52, 00:12:35.699 --> 00:12:37.259 because they did not understand about the loaves. 00:12:39.259 --> 00:12:40.299 Isn't that astounding? 00:12:40.539 --> 00:12:42.159 They've just seen Jesus walk on the water. 00:12:42.319 --> 00:12:43.259 They were utterly astounded 00:12:43.259 --> 00:12:44.679 for they did not understand 00:12:44.679 --> 00:12:46.259 about the loaves. 00:12:48.159 --> 00:12:49.500 And what Mark is saying to you there 00:12:49.500 --> 00:12:51.659 is if they'd understood about the loaves, 00:12:51.939 --> 00:12:53.080 they would not have been astounded 00:12:53.080 --> 00:12:54.539 that Jesus was walking on the water. 00:12:56.819 --> 00:12:58.819 If they'd understood the feeding miracle 00:12:58.819 --> 00:13:00.419 about Jesus' identity, 00:13:00.519 --> 00:13:01.120 they wouldn't have thought 00:13:01.120 --> 00:13:02.939 the walking miracle was utterly remarkable. 00:13:03.100 --> 00:13:04.080 They didn't get it. 00:13:05.899 --> 00:13:07.700 And obviously their hearts were hardened. 00:13:08.679 --> 00:13:09.840 They weren't hardened like the people 00:13:09.840 --> 00:13:11.399 who rejected Jesus, 00:13:11.399 --> 00:13:13.559 but nevertheless there was still 00:13:13.559 --> 00:13:14.759 a stubbornness of their hearts 00:13:14.759 --> 00:13:15.819 that needed to be overcome. 00:13:17.220 --> 00:13:19.419 And no doubt their hearts were softening, 00:13:19.879 --> 00:13:21.419 but they were still a long way 00:13:21.419 --> 00:13:22.319 from seeing things clearly. 00:13:23.860 --> 00:13:25.360 Then Mark records in the next section 00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:26.959 the multiple healing miracles 00:13:26.959 --> 00:13:28.159 in the days that followed, 00:13:28.579 --> 00:13:30.100 verses 53 to 56. 00:13:30.279 --> 00:13:32.000 And it's almost unavoidable for Jesus. 00:13:33.579 --> 00:13:36.240 Jesus' reputation is growing at a rapid rate. 00:13:36.360 --> 00:13:37.960 He's now officially famous. 00:13:37.960 --> 00:13:40.700 Not famous in the sense 00:13:40.700 --> 00:13:42.259 that he's won a Winter Olympics medal. 00:13:43.780 --> 00:13:45.000 But famous in the sense 00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:46.400 that every second person 00:13:46.400 --> 00:13:47.360 stopping him in the street 00:13:47.360 --> 00:13:48.440 asking him for his autograph. 00:13:48.660 --> 00:13:49.420 It's frenetic. 00:13:50.360 --> 00:13:52.120 They try to bring their sick relatives to him. 00:13:52.900 --> 00:13:54.600 Friends that get closer to Jesus. 00:13:54.860 --> 00:13:56.320 People who sold beds 00:13:56.320 --> 00:13:57.940 that you could carry a sick person on. 00:13:58.259 --> 00:13:59.580 Had never done so much business. 00:14:00.139 --> 00:14:01.340 People were happy to touch 00:14:01.340 --> 00:14:02.440 the edge of his garment. 00:14:02.660 --> 00:14:03.320 Verse 54. 00:14:04.560 --> 00:14:05.480 When they got out of the boat, 00:14:05.480 --> 00:14:06.740 the people immediately recognised him 00:14:06.740 --> 00:14:07.960 and they ran about the whole region 00:14:07.960 --> 00:14:09.460 and began to bring the sick people 00:14:09.460 --> 00:14:10.879 on their beds to wherever he was. 00:14:11.460 --> 00:14:12.560 And whenever he came, 00:14:12.899 --> 00:14:13.980 wherever he came in villages, 00:14:14.120 --> 00:14:14.779 cities, countryside, 00:14:15.139 --> 00:14:16.379 they laid the sick in the marketplaces. 00:14:16.519 --> 00:14:17.680 They implored that they might touch 00:14:17.680 --> 00:14:18.779 even the fringe of his garment 00:14:18.779 --> 00:14:19.980 and as many as were touched 00:14:19.980 --> 00:14:20.560 from the well. 00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:22.159 There's growing recognition, 00:14:22.360 --> 00:14:22.720 isn't there, 00:14:23.159 --> 00:14:23.779 of Jesus, 00:14:24.420 --> 00:14:25.539 but continued power. 00:14:26.860 --> 00:14:28.279 Jesus' power to deliver people 00:14:28.279 --> 00:14:29.360 from sickness and health 00:14:29.360 --> 00:14:30.460 doesn't seem to be running out. 00:14:30.460 --> 00:14:34.240 Mark makes no comment 00:14:34.240 --> 00:14:36.019 on whether these people 00:14:36.019 --> 00:14:38.360 had any interest in Jesus 00:14:38.360 --> 00:14:40.639 apart from what he could do for them. 00:14:41.780 --> 00:14:42.460 But nevertheless, 00:14:42.660 --> 00:14:43.440 his compassion 00:14:43.440 --> 00:14:46.560 meant that he continued to engage 00:14:46.560 --> 00:14:47.800 with these desperate people. 00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:50.040 And his divine strength 00:14:50.040 --> 00:14:51.460 began to continue 00:14:51.460 --> 00:14:53.019 to bring healing and release. 00:14:54.620 --> 00:14:56.139 Now, what are they saying to us? 00:14:57.820 --> 00:14:58.560 Three things, 00:14:58.680 --> 00:14:59.720 as I conclude. 00:15:01.200 --> 00:15:03.440 I think Mark wants you and I 00:15:03.440 --> 00:15:04.940 to understand human need. 00:15:07.820 --> 00:15:09.740 Need is everywhere in Mark's Gospel. 00:15:09.900 --> 00:15:10.759 You find hungry people, 00:15:10.879 --> 00:15:11.280 sick people, 00:15:11.400 --> 00:15:11.960 curious people, 00:15:12.060 --> 00:15:12.620 desperate people. 00:15:13.300 --> 00:15:14.240 And they all want something. 00:15:14.460 --> 00:15:15.320 But Jesus' verdict 00:15:15.320 --> 00:15:16.840 is really worth reflecting on. 00:15:17.259 --> 00:15:18.600 He thinks that the one thing 00:15:18.600 --> 00:15:19.740 that all these people 00:15:19.740 --> 00:15:20.440 had in common 00:15:20.440 --> 00:15:21.440 is that they were sheep 00:15:21.440 --> 00:15:22.220 without a shepherd. 00:15:23.320 --> 00:15:24.420 And what they really needed 00:15:24.420 --> 00:15:25.259 was a leader. 00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:27.860 And not just a leader 00:15:27.860 --> 00:15:28.500 who could point them 00:15:28.500 --> 00:15:29.500 in the direction of food 00:15:29.500 --> 00:15:30.879 or in the direction of healing 00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:32.460 or in the direction of explanation, 00:15:32.940 --> 00:15:33.740 they needed a leader 00:15:33.740 --> 00:15:35.279 who would actually feed them. 00:15:36.379 --> 00:15:37.539 Who would actually share 00:15:37.539 --> 00:15:38.460 God's truth with them. 00:15:38.539 --> 00:15:40.059 Who would actually heal them. 00:15:40.399 --> 00:15:42.039 They needed the kind of leader 00:15:42.039 --> 00:15:43.320 that their creator 00:15:43.320 --> 00:15:45.779 had always intended them to have. 00:15:45.779 --> 00:15:48.259 They needed a shepherd. 00:15:48.259 --> 00:15:48.360 They needed a shepherd. 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:50.339 And they needed a good shepherd. 00:15:51.299 --> 00:15:53.480 And the observation of verse 34 00:15:53.480 --> 00:15:54.899 still stands today. 00:15:55.259 --> 00:15:55.759 Doesn't it? 00:15:57.100 --> 00:15:58.259 And it has great relevance 00:15:58.779 --> 00:16:00.299 and significance for now 00:16:00.299 --> 00:16:01.259 because Jesus' diagnosis 00:16:01.860 --> 00:16:02.899 of the crowd 00:16:02.899 --> 00:16:03.980 is his diagnosis 00:16:03.980 --> 00:16:05.139 of your life and mine. 00:16:05.139 --> 00:16:09.659 human need is everywhere 00:16:09.659 --> 00:16:10.240 in our world. 00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:11.120 People need feeding 00:16:11.120 --> 00:16:11.639 and teaching 00:16:11.639 --> 00:16:12.240 and healing. 00:16:12.580 --> 00:16:13.240 They need compassion 00:16:13.240 --> 00:16:14.139 and reassurance 00:16:14.139 --> 00:16:14.860 and friendship 00:16:14.860 --> 00:16:15.860 and hope 00:16:15.860 --> 00:16:17.199 and many, many other things. 00:16:17.319 --> 00:16:18.220 And Jesus knows us 00:16:18.220 --> 00:16:19.039 better than ourselves. 00:16:20.340 --> 00:16:21.039 And his verdict 00:16:21.039 --> 00:16:22.360 is that what we really need 00:16:22.360 --> 00:16:23.000 is leadership. 00:16:24.439 --> 00:16:25.220 The leadership 00:16:25.220 --> 00:16:25.899 that can actually 00:16:25.899 --> 00:16:27.340 draw aside us 00:16:27.340 --> 00:16:28.899 and supply what we need 00:16:28.899 --> 00:16:30.220 and someone who can 00:16:30.220 --> 00:16:31.519 satisfy us completely. 00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:34.759 And we need the kind of leader 00:16:34.759 --> 00:16:35.779 that our creator 00:16:35.779 --> 00:16:37.819 always intended us to have. 00:16:38.259 --> 00:16:39.840 We need the good shepherd. 00:16:41.679 --> 00:16:42.480 And not only yesterday 00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:43.240 who we are here today 00:16:43.240 --> 00:16:44.319 but our family members 00:16:44.319 --> 00:16:44.819 our friends 00:16:44.819 --> 00:16:45.419 and our neighbors 00:16:45.419 --> 00:16:46.620 and our work colleagues. 00:16:47.539 --> 00:16:48.919 We all need a shepherd 00:16:48.919 --> 00:16:49.799 Jesus is saying 00:16:49.799 --> 00:16:50.980 whether people know it or not. 00:16:52.539 --> 00:16:54.460 Whatever everyone needs 00:16:54.460 --> 00:17:00.019 is not just what Jesus can bring 00:17:00.019 --> 00:17:02.000 but actually Jesus himself. 00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:04.200 And Mark wants us 00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:05.099 to understand that. 00:17:06.480 --> 00:17:07.259 He wants us secondly 00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:07.960 to understand 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:09.660 the need of compassion. 00:17:09.879 --> 00:17:10.879 The nature of compassion. 00:17:11.059 --> 00:17:11.839 And I'm particularly thinking 00:17:11.839 --> 00:17:12.599 of verse 34. 00:17:15.180 --> 00:17:16.240 And it really is 00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:17.279 just a remarkable 00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:18.559 and mind-boggling verse 00:17:18.559 --> 00:17:19.319 because what I find 00:17:19.319 --> 00:17:20.000 most amazing 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:21.059 is what Jesus does 00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:21.980 with his compassion 00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:22.759 because it's not 00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:23.660 what you expect. 00:17:26.019 --> 00:17:27.240 He sees the crowd. 00:17:27.379 --> 00:17:28.259 He knows they're curious. 00:17:28.259 --> 00:17:29.700 He knows they want 00:17:29.700 --> 00:17:30.440 to see miracles. 00:17:31.099 --> 00:17:32.099 He knows that many of them 00:17:32.099 --> 00:17:32.720 are desperate 00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:34.019 to have their sickness healed, 00:17:34.400 --> 00:17:35.640 their demons cast out, 00:17:35.940 --> 00:17:36.759 their stomachs filled. 00:17:36.859 --> 00:17:37.799 So what does he do? 00:17:38.740 --> 00:17:39.799 He teaches them. 00:17:41.980 --> 00:17:42.460 And Mark says 00:17:42.460 --> 00:17:43.359 he began to teach them 00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:44.200 many things. 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:45.160 His first instinct 00:17:45.160 --> 00:17:46.140 is not to feed them, 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:46.960 not to heal them, 00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:48.039 not to cast out demons. 00:17:48.660 --> 00:17:49.640 His first instinct 00:17:49.640 --> 00:17:50.339 is to make sure 00:17:50.339 --> 00:17:51.039 that they understand 00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:51.920 the kingdom of God. 00:17:53.599 --> 00:17:54.299 Now I don't want 00:17:54.299 --> 00:17:55.039 to overstate this 00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:55.440 because 00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:57.200 in the rest of the passage 00:17:57.200 --> 00:17:58.319 Jesus is very interested 00:17:58.319 --> 00:17:59.000 in feeding them 00:17:59.000 --> 00:17:59.600 and making their 00:17:59.600 --> 00:18:00.640 bodies whole. 00:18:01.720 --> 00:18:02.860 But it is significant 00:18:02.860 --> 00:18:03.440 that Jesus' 00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:04.799 compassion 00:18:04.799 --> 00:18:06.080 leads him to teach. 00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:10.160 And again we see that 00:18:10.160 --> 00:18:10.759 all the way through 00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:11.440 Mark's Gospel 00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:12.640 that Jesus teaching 00:18:12.640 --> 00:18:13.400 the kingdom 00:18:13.400 --> 00:18:15.140 is an act of compassion. 00:18:16.680 --> 00:18:17.400 And that ought to 00:18:17.400 --> 00:18:18.240 challenge the way 00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:19.120 that we think of him. 00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:22.039 I begin to notice 00:18:22.039 --> 00:18:22.960 that very often 00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:24.559 we draw a firm 00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:25.120 distinction 00:18:25.120 --> 00:18:26.600 between ministries 00:18:26.600 --> 00:18:27.400 of teaching 00:18:27.400 --> 00:18:28.660 and ministries 00:18:28.660 --> 00:18:29.460 of compassion. 00:18:30.880 --> 00:18:31.920 And we tend to think 00:18:31.920 --> 00:18:32.440 that the ministry 00:18:32.440 --> 00:18:33.039 of compassion 00:18:33.039 --> 00:18:34.500 is meeting an obvious 00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:35.960 and immediate need 00:18:35.960 --> 00:18:37.140 but Jesus doesn't work 00:18:37.140 --> 00:18:37.960 with that distinction. 00:18:40.039 --> 00:18:41.980 Mark 6 verse 34 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:43.740 says that compassion 00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:45.200 is seeing their true need 00:18:45.200 --> 00:18:46.660 and seeking to meet it. 00:18:47.819 --> 00:18:48.740 And that will mean 00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:49.600 feeding hungry people, 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:49.960 it will mean 00:18:49.960 --> 00:18:50.900 healing the sick, 00:18:50.900 --> 00:18:51.840 but it will also be 00:18:51.840 --> 00:18:53.720 feeding with God's word. 00:18:55.519 --> 00:18:56.360 And showing them 00:18:56.360 --> 00:18:56.900 how they can be 00:18:56.900 --> 00:18:57.800 spiritually healed 00:18:57.800 --> 00:18:58.280 and fed. 00:18:58.400 --> 00:18:59.480 It is compassionate 00:18:59.480 --> 00:19:00.840 to teach people 00:19:00.840 --> 00:19:02.640 about the all-satisfying 00:19:02.640 --> 00:19:04.019 shepherd of Jesus. 00:19:04.980 --> 00:19:06.000 It's compassion 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:06.940 to tell people 00:19:06.940 --> 00:19:08.440 about the wonderful 00:19:08.440 --> 00:19:09.180 forgiveness that 00:19:09.180 --> 00:19:09.860 Jesus offers. 00:19:10.320 --> 00:19:11.160 It's compassion 00:19:11.160 --> 00:19:12.220 to tell people 00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:13.280 to help people 00:19:13.280 --> 00:19:14.240 understand who Jesus 00:19:14.240 --> 00:19:15.040 is and what 00:19:15.040 --> 00:19:15.759 he's here for. 00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:18.160 And that he 00:19:18.160 --> 00:19:19.080 eventually came to 00:19:19.080 --> 00:19:20.019 bleed his life 00:19:20.019 --> 00:19:20.860 away on the cross 00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:21.559 because he cared 00:19:21.559 --> 00:19:22.479 for people so much. 00:19:23.139 --> 00:19:23.959 Compassion is 00:19:23.959 --> 00:19:25.399 seeing shepherdless 00:19:25.399 --> 00:19:26.559 sheep and giving 00:19:26.559 --> 00:19:27.259 them what they 00:19:27.259 --> 00:19:28.299 really need. 00:19:29.839 --> 00:19:30.599 And what they 00:19:30.599 --> 00:19:31.579 most need 00:19:31.579 --> 00:19:32.819 is Jesus himself. 00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:35.339 And so yes 00:19:35.339 --> 00:19:35.779 we must 00:19:35.779 --> 00:19:37.079 clothe and 00:19:37.079 --> 00:19:38.059 feed the poor. 00:19:38.240 --> 00:19:39.219 Yes we must 00:19:39.219 --> 00:19:40.379 be kind-hearted 00:19:40.379 --> 00:19:41.000 communities. 00:19:41.319 --> 00:19:41.919 But without 00:19:41.919 --> 00:19:43.279 teaching the gospel 00:19:43.279 --> 00:19:44.359 that is not 00:19:44.359 --> 00:19:45.000 compassion. 00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:49.839 and thirdly 00:19:49.839 --> 00:19:50.059 and most 00:19:50.059 --> 00:19:50.559 fundamentally 00:19:50.559 --> 00:19:52.039 what Mark 00:19:52.039 --> 00:19:52.539 wants us to 00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:53.119 understand is 00:19:53.119 --> 00:19:54.740 really Jesus 00:19:54.740 --> 00:19:55.400 himself. 00:19:58.539 --> 00:19:59.339 Jesus is 00:19:59.339 --> 00:19:59.880 telling you in 00:19:59.880 --> 00:20:00.480 this section 00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:01.420 that Jesus 00:20:01.420 --> 00:20:02.339 can do the 00:20:02.339 --> 00:20:02.980 sort of things 00:20:02.980 --> 00:20:03.700 that only God 00:20:03.700 --> 00:20:04.160 can do. 00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:06.500 He's telling us 00:20:06.500 --> 00:20:07.299 that Jesus does 00:20:07.299 --> 00:20:07.900 the things that 00:20:07.900 --> 00:20:08.640 God himself is 00:20:08.640 --> 00:20:09.779 famous for doing. 00:20:10.420 --> 00:20:11.519 That he feeds 00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:12.619 thousands in a 00:20:12.619 --> 00:20:13.639 desert with 00:20:13.639 --> 00:20:14.379 bread when 00:20:14.379 --> 00:20:14.759 there is 00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:15.419 little bread. 00:20:16.299 --> 00:20:16.679 And he 00:20:16.679 --> 00:20:18.159 passes by and 00:20:18.159 --> 00:20:18.899 he reveals his 00:20:18.899 --> 00:20:19.359 glory. 00:20:20.359 --> 00:20:21.479 And he comes to 00:20:21.479 --> 00:20:22.219 people that see 00:20:22.219 --> 00:20:23.419 his glory and 00:20:23.419 --> 00:20:24.179 says you do not 00:20:24.179 --> 00:20:24.599 need to be 00:20:24.599 --> 00:20:25.059 afraid. 00:20:27.199 --> 00:20:27.819 And Mark is 00:20:27.819 --> 00:20:28.779 multiplying the 00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:29.739 hints that Jesus 00:20:29.739 --> 00:20:30.699 and God have a 00:20:30.699 --> 00:20:31.279 lot in common. 00:20:32.439 --> 00:20:33.299 And he's showing 00:20:33.299 --> 00:20:34.199 us over and over 00:20:34.199 --> 00:20:34.799 again that when 00:20:34.799 --> 00:20:35.799 Jesus speaks he 00:20:35.799 --> 00:20:36.379 speaks with the 00:20:36.379 --> 00:20:37.419 authority of God 00:20:37.419 --> 00:20:38.119 and when Jesus 00:20:38.119 --> 00:20:39.039 acts he acts 00:20:39.039 --> 00:20:39.879 with the power of 00:20:39.880 --> 00:20:40.140 God. 00:20:42.140 --> 00:20:42.860 Who might that 00:20:42.860 --> 00:20:43.760 suggest Jesus is? 00:20:45.840 --> 00:20:46.780 Jesus is very 00:20:46.780 --> 00:20:47.540 different isn't he 00:20:47.540 --> 00:20:47.920 to the other 00:20:47.920 --> 00:20:48.560 leaders that we 00:20:48.560 --> 00:20:49.480 meet in Mark's 00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:49.800 gospel. 00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:51.140 And he's very 00:20:51.140 --> 00:20:51.960 different to the 00:20:51.960 --> 00:20:52.560 leaders we meet 00:20:52.560 --> 00:20:52.920 today. 00:20:53.100 --> 00:20:54.000 Jesus sees the 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:55.520 crowd and he 00:20:55.520 --> 00:20:56.300 sees sheep without 00:20:56.300 --> 00:20:57.120 a shepherd and he 00:20:57.120 --> 00:20:58.040 overflows with 00:20:58.040 --> 00:20:58.920 compassion like a 00:20:58.920 --> 00:20:59.640 tap you can't 00:20:59.640 --> 00:21:00.140 turn off. 00:21:00.760 --> 00:21:01.380 He's the shepherd 00:21:01.380 --> 00:21:02.240 all people need. 00:21:03.180 --> 00:21:03.660 And he's the 00:21:03.660 --> 00:21:04.320 shepherd that does 00:21:04.320 --> 00:21:04.960 things that only 00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:05.880 God can do. 00:21:06.740 --> 00:21:07.200 And he's the 00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:07.860 shepherd who does 00:21:07.860 --> 00:21:08.440 the sorts of 00:21:08.440 --> 00:21:09.220 things that God 00:21:09.220 --> 00:21:10.200 himself is famous 00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:10.640 for doing. 00:21:11.940 --> 00:21:12.680 He's the shepherd 00:21:12.680 --> 00:21:13.360 who speaks with 00:21:13.360 --> 00:21:14.140 the authority of 00:21:14.140 --> 00:21:14.960 God and he acts 00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:15.740 with the power of 00:21:15.740 --> 00:21:16.259 God and who 00:21:16.259 --> 00:21:17.160 might that suggest 00:21:17.160 --> 00:21:18.039 to you that 00:21:18.039 --> 00:21:18.600 Jesus is? 00:21:20.039 --> 00:21:20.940 And the disciples 00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:21.799 are struggling to 00:21:21.799 --> 00:21:22.680 understand all this. 00:21:23.640 --> 00:21:24.319 And if we'd be 00:21:24.319 --> 00:21:25.160 there we might 00:21:25.160 --> 00:21:25.519 have struggled 00:21:25.519 --> 00:21:25.880 too. 00:21:27.059 --> 00:21:28.000 And maybe today 00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:29.299 you still struggle 00:21:29.299 --> 00:21:30.180 and that's okay. 00:21:31.839 --> 00:21:32.920 Because Jesus is 00:21:32.920 --> 00:21:33.559 in the business 00:21:33.559 --> 00:21:34.039 isn't he of 00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:35.360 patiently revealing 00:21:35.360 --> 00:21:36.500 himself to people 00:21:36.500 --> 00:21:38.059 as we see here. 00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:39.200 He wants people 00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:40.080 to understand. 00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:41.180 He helps you to 00:21:41.180 --> 00:21:42.160 understand if you 00:21:42.160 --> 00:21:42.740 ask him to. 00:21:45.559 --> 00:21:46.080 But what I've 00:21:46.080 --> 00:21:46.680 discovered in this 00:21:46.680 --> 00:21:47.519 passage this morning 00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:47.880 is this. 00:21:47.980 --> 00:21:48.860 But as each of us 00:21:48.860 --> 00:21:49.860 grows in our 00:21:49.860 --> 00:21:50.620 understanding 00:21:50.620 --> 00:21:52.980 there is a sense 00:21:52.980 --> 00:21:53.720 in which Jesus 00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:54.880 ought to be less 00:21:54.880 --> 00:21:56.100 and less amazing 00:21:56.100 --> 00:21:56.640 to us. 00:21:57.600 --> 00:21:58.039 It's really 00:21:58.039 --> 00:21:58.380 shocking. 00:21:59.259 --> 00:21:59.779 I know that sounds 00:21:59.779 --> 00:22:00.180 strange. 00:22:01.559 --> 00:22:01.840 But do you 00:22:01.840 --> 00:22:02.400 remember what 00:22:02.400 --> 00:22:03.960 Mark said about 00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:04.819 the disciples in 00:22:04.819 --> 00:22:05.880 verses 52? 00:22:05.880 --> 00:22:06.280 They were 00:22:06.280 --> 00:22:07.260 astounded and 00:22:07.260 --> 00:22:08.260 they were amazed 00:22:08.260 --> 00:22:08.940 because they 00:22:08.940 --> 00:22:09.560 hadn't understood 00:22:09.560 --> 00:22:10.440 about the loaves. 00:22:11.720 --> 00:22:12.460 And the implication 00:22:12.460 --> 00:22:13.200 is that if they'd 00:22:13.200 --> 00:22:13.920 understood about the 00:22:13.920 --> 00:22:14.560 loaves they wouldn't 00:22:14.560 --> 00:22:15.360 be so astounded. 00:22:17.540 --> 00:22:18.340 They would still have 00:22:18.340 --> 00:22:18.660 known it was 00:22:18.660 --> 00:22:19.680 incredible but it 00:22:19.680 --> 00:22:20.020 wouldn't have 00:22:20.020 --> 00:22:20.660 surprised them. 00:22:20.740 --> 00:22:21.260 And so I think 00:22:21.260 --> 00:22:22.060 in my own life 00:22:22.060 --> 00:22:23.180 if I really believe 00:22:23.180 --> 00:22:23.780 the things that 00:22:23.780 --> 00:22:24.640 Mark is telling me 00:22:24.640 --> 00:22:26.100 and if I really 00:22:26.100 --> 00:22:26.880 believe that Jesus 00:22:26.880 --> 00:22:27.840 was the good shepherd 00:22:27.840 --> 00:22:29.240 and if I really 00:22:29.240 --> 00:22:29.980 believed he had 00:22:29.980 --> 00:22:30.760 the power 00:22:30.760 --> 00:22:32.800 that Mark shows 00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:33.480 as he has 00:22:33.480 --> 00:22:34.000 I might be 00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:34.680 less and less 00:22:34.680 --> 00:22:35.720 surprised by Jesus. 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:37.799 I would be 00:22:37.799 --> 00:22:38.859 deeply interested 00:22:38.859 --> 00:22:39.359 in getting to 00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:39.980 know him more. 00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:42.240 If you're here 00:22:42.240 --> 00:22:43.180 this afternoon 00:22:43.180 --> 00:22:43.740 as somebody who's 00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:44.599 curious about the 00:22:44.599 --> 00:22:45.119 Christian faith 00:22:45.119 --> 00:22:45.599 but you're not 00:22:45.599 --> 00:22:46.279 sure can I 00:22:46.279 --> 00:22:47.079 encourage you 00:22:47.079 --> 00:22:47.619 don't let 00:22:47.619 --> 00:22:47.819 be 00:22:47.819 --> 00:22:48.519 don't let 00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:51.000 don't let 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:51.899 being afraid 00:22:51.899 --> 00:22:53.980 to let your 00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:55.180 don't be afraid 00:22:55.180 --> 00:22:55.619 to let your 00:22:55.619 --> 00:22:56.200 curiosity 00:22:56.200 --> 00:22:57.039 grow further. 00:22:58.159 --> 00:22:59.000 Get to know 00:22:59.000 --> 00:22:59.279 Jesus. 00:22:59.419 --> 00:23:00.200 Keep struggling 00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:01.019 to understand. 00:23:01.460 --> 00:23:02.079 It's the best 00:23:02.079 --> 00:23:02.699 struggle in the 00:23:02.699 --> 00:23:03.079 world. 00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:05.419 And if you're 00:23:05.419 --> 00:23:06.039 following Jesus 00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:06.859 if you really 00:23:06.859 --> 00:23:07.699 believe that 00:23:07.699 --> 00:23:08.319 Jesus is the 00:23:08.319 --> 00:23:08.759 good shepherd 00:23:08.759 --> 00:23:09.359 who lays down 00:23:09.359 --> 00:23:10.039 his life for us 00:23:10.039 --> 00:23:10.500 then I think 00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:11.139 we need to be 00:23:11.139 --> 00:23:11.539 a little bit 00:23:11.539 --> 00:23:12.339 less surprised 00:23:12.339 --> 00:23:13.079 by Jesus. 00:23:15.379 --> 00:23:16.339 I wonder if 00:23:16.339 --> 00:23:17.519 we really 00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:18.119 believed 00:23:18.119 --> 00:23:19.799 we might 00:23:19.799 --> 00:23:20.919 stress a little 00:23:20.919 --> 00:23:21.299 bit about 00:23:21.299 --> 00:23:21.980 things a little 00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:22.460 bit less 00:23:22.460 --> 00:23:24.359 and we might 00:23:24.359 --> 00:23:24.779 pray to him 00:23:24.779 --> 00:23:25.039 a little bit 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:25.659 more and we 00:23:25.659 --> 00:23:26.059 might be a 00:23:26.059 --> 00:23:26.480 little bit more 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:27.079 confident about 00:23:27.079 --> 00:23:27.559 the future 00:23:27.559 --> 00:23:29.299 and we might 00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:29.779 turn to his 00:23:29.779 --> 00:23:30.480 words and listen 00:23:30.480 --> 00:23:31.019 to what he says 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:31.480 a little more 00:23:31.480 --> 00:23:31.980 readily. 00:23:33.079 --> 00:23:33.519 And a little 00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:34.339 less distracted 00:23:34.339 --> 00:23:35.000 by the worries 00:23:35.000 --> 00:23:35.679 of this life 00:23:35.679 --> 00:23:36.139 and we would 00:23:36.139 --> 00:23:36.699 be focused 00:23:36.699 --> 00:23:37.460 on the things 00:23:37.460 --> 00:23:38.319 that matter. 00:23:40.579 --> 00:23:41.379 It's not as if 00:23:41.379 --> 00:23:42.399 the disciples 00:23:42.399 --> 00:23:43.019 hadn't seen 00:23:43.019 --> 00:23:43.399 the miracle 00:23:43.399 --> 00:23:44.059 of the 5000 00:23:44.059 --> 00:23:45.000 they just 00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:45.439 hadn't put it 00:23:45.439 --> 00:23:45.839 together in 00:23:45.839 --> 00:23:46.199 their minds 00:23:46.199 --> 00:23:46.779 and hearts. 00:23:48.359 --> 00:23:48.819 And I think 00:23:48.819 --> 00:23:49.079 we can be 00:23:49.079 --> 00:23:49.720 very easily 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:50.119 like them. 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:53.159 We've seen 00:23:53.159 --> 00:23:53.599 what Jesus 00:23:53.599 --> 00:23:54.039 can do 00:23:54.039 --> 00:23:54.359 but we've 00:23:54.359 --> 00:23:54.879 not understood 00:23:54.879 --> 00:23:55.339 and so we 00:23:55.339 --> 00:23:55.879 find ourselves 00:23:55.879 --> 00:23:56.359 struggling 00:23:56.359 --> 00:23:57.059 and surprised 00:23:57.059 --> 00:23:57.799 and we need 00:23:57.799 --> 00:23:58.419 to turn our 00:23:58.419 --> 00:23:59.159 attention again 00:23:59.160 --> 00:23:59.800 into Jesus 00:23:59.800 --> 00:24:01.800 and keep 00:24:01.800 --> 00:24:02.420 wrestling with 00:24:02.420 --> 00:24:02.920 him until 00:24:02.920 --> 00:24:03.720 we see him 00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:04.080 clearly 00:24:04.080 --> 00:24:05.440 and know 00:24:05.440 --> 00:24:06.140 what it means 00:24:06.140 --> 00:24:06.840 to be our 00:24:06.840 --> 00:24:07.160 shepherd. 00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:09.160 And so he 00:24:09.160 --> 00:24:10.019 says to you 00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:10.640 as you go 00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:11.180 back to work 00:24:11.180 --> 00:24:11.840 this afternoon 00:24:11.840 --> 00:24:12.220 or whatever 00:24:12.220 --> 00:24:12.700 you do 00:24:12.700 --> 00:24:13.420 he says to 00:24:13.420 --> 00:24:13.980 you like he 00:24:13.980 --> 00:24:14.580 says to them 00:24:14.580 --> 00:24:15.340 take heart 00:24:15.339 --> 00:24:16.639 it is I 00:24:16.639 --> 00:24:18.179 do not be 00:24:18.179 --> 00:24:18.579 afraid. 00:24:19.480 --> 00:24:20.059 Let's pray.