Friday, February 15, 2013

Help in time of need

Pam Padgett ... teacher

While reading in Mark 6, the compassion Jesus showed and understanding of the needs we have as we live on this earth stood out to me. 

Jesus sent the twelve to preach, cast out devils, and heal the sick.  When they returned and told Jesus what they had done and taught, Jesus saw to it that they rested, away from the many who were coming and going ...

Mark 6:7 And he (Jesus) called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; ... 12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent. 13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them. ...30 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. 31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. 32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.

When Jesus saw the many people who had run out of the cities to come to Him, He was moved with compassion toward them and taught them many things ...

Mark 6:33 And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him. 34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd:and he began to teach them many things.

When the people who had come to hear Him had nothing to eat, Jesus fed them all until they were filled ...

Mark 6:35 And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed:36 Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread:for they have nothing to eat. 37 He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat? 38 He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes. 39 And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. 40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. 41 And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. 42 And they did all eat, and were filled. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. 44 And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.

When Jesus' disciples were toiling in rowing the ship they were in because of the winds, Jesus was walking on the sea.  They saw Jesus and were afraid.  Immediately, Jesus spoke to them, telling them to be of good cheer and not be afraid, identifying Himself to them.  In addition to quieting their fears, Jesus also calmed the winds ...

Mark 6:45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. 46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. 47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. 48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them:and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. 49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: 50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer:it is I; be not afraid. 51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased:and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.


Jesus came to earth as a man, dealing with the flesh and being tempted just as we are, but didn't sin.  Now Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father.  We can turn to Him and receive mercy and help in whatever we face ...

Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.