July 23,
2000
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 (CEV)
After the apostles returned to Jesus [after being sent out with
power over evil spirits], they told him everything they had done
and taught. But so many people were coming and going that Jesus
and the apostles did not even have a chance to eat. Then Jesus
said, "Let's go to a place where we can be alone and get
some rest." They left in a boat for a place where they could
be alone. But many people saw them leave and figured out where
they were going. So people from every town ran on ahead and got
there first.
When Jesus got out of the boat, he saw the large crowd that was
like sheep without a shepherd. He felt sorry for the people and
started teaching them many things.
Jesus and his disciples crossed the lake and brought the boat
to shore near the town of Gennesaret. As soon as they got out
of the boat, the people recognized Jesus. So they ran all over
that part of the country to bring their sick people to him on
mats. They brought them each time they heard where he was. In
every village or farm or marketplace where Jesus went, the people
brought their sick to him. They begged him to let them just touch
his clothes, and everyone who did was healed.
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1.
This is a pretty chopped up lection. The missing section is about
feeding five thousand people and walking on water. So what is
the point of jumping from reporting mission results to healing
a multitude?
2.
It may be as simple as when disciples get busy they really get
busy. There was no time to even talk, much less think. Is that
kind of busyness part of your life? Are you surprised at it? Is
this kind of busyness not a part of your life? Are you regretting
it is missing?
3.
Here in typical vacation time we hear the need of getting away.
Yet, getting away from being who one is (empowered over evil spirits,
a pointer toward GOD) is never possible. We take GOD's grace with
us into family interactions, business environments, and neighborly
situations. We need to be who we are, whether needing to get away
and being successful at that or needing to get away and overwhelmed
when not able to do so. So who are you? Who do you want to be?
What will guide you to larger living? An intentional faith community
is one key starting place.