SHEEP WITHOUT A SHEPHERD

Passage: Mark 6:30-34

Key verse: 34

NIV

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand(A)(B)

30 The apostles(C) gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.(D) 31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat,(E) he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

32 So they went away by themselves in a boat(F) to a solitary place. 33 But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.(G) So he began teaching them many things.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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ESV

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

30 (A)(B)The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and (C)they had no leisure even to eat. 32 (D)And they went away in (E)the boat to a desolate place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and (F)recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When he went ashore he (G)saw a great crowd, and (H)he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. 'Come to a quiet place and rest' (3

-32)

Pressure on Jesus and his disciples was increasing. Herod's execution of John underlined the danger of preaching the gospel. This event also revealed the quality of the political and religious leadership of those times. The apostles returned from their evangelistic journey. They were tired, for they had served many people. Jesus wanted to spend some time alone with them, so they got in a boat and went to a quiet place.

2. Like sheep with a shepherd (33-34)

The crowds, seeking a true shepherd, saw them leave and ran on foot. They arrived at the 'quiet place' first. The crowds were like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus had compassion on them. He gave up his own plans and taught the crowds many things.

They needed God's righteous rule in their lives.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for Jesus my true shepherd. He laid down his life for me and for the world. Raise up men and women who have Jesus' shepherd's heart for the young people of our time.

One Word: Like sheep without a shepherd