The Needs of the People

Gospel: Mark 6: 30-34

People come swarming to be with Jesus from far and wide.  He sees their need for a shepherd, someone to provide the real needs they have in their lives.  Ancient religion failed miserably in this regard.  The Greek and Roman gods treated humanity with disdain and sacrifice to them was to appease them.  The God of Israel showed care for people, but its religious leaders often neglected the needs of the people for their own power and financial ease.  

So along comes Jesus who represents the mercy of God on earth.  He goes about from place to place providing healing, deliverance, and nourishment at table to all he meets.  Jesus does not turn anyone away: he heals all who come to him for healing; he delivers all in bondage of possession without distinction; he welcomes all at table - sinners, Pharisees, women and men, those who see themselves as worthy and those who are not.  

Jesus invites us all to this ministry of mercy and love.  He invites us to provide healing, deliverance, and nourishment to people each day in so many different ways.  So many people are in need of love and mercy, fellowship and companionship.  How is God calling us today to represent the mercy and love of God in our world?