Jesus is Our Shepherd | Mark 6:30-44

Have you ever fallen asleep or had your stomach growl loudly during a church service? What do you think Jesus thinks of you in those moments? Do you suppose he shakes his head in disgust?

In this passage we see that Jesus is our compassionate shepherd. When he surveys our human weakness and limitations, he is not annoyed. He is compassionate.

Jesus Guides His Sheep

Notice how Jesus takes charge in this passage.

• The apostles returned to him after having been sent out by him (v.30)
• He invites them to come away and rest (v.31)
• He commands them to feed the crowd (v.37)
• He commands the crowd to sit and feeds them (v.39)

Since Jesus is our guiding shepherd, we get to follow. We get to be sent, to return, to respond to his invitations, to respond to his commands. In a culture of decision fatigue, when it comes to the most important things, Jesus is “the Decider”.

In my office I used to have the phrase “Servant, not Savior” posted on the side of a filing cabinet where I would see it regularly. This was to remind me that my role as a pastor is limited. I do not save people; Jesus does that. I only serve. This takes a tremendous load off my shoulders.

This passage reminds us that we can all post in our hearts “Sheep, not Shepherd.”

Jesus Restores His Sheep

Look at how compassionate Jesus is about his disciple’s exhaustion.

And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” (verse 31)

Since Jesus restores his sheep, we get to rest. There are times when following Jesus means coming away from the crowds, turning off the phone, finding some solitude. There are times to sit still. There are times to go to sleep. There are times to take a full day off (Sabbath). There are times to eat meals. And don’t worry, the world won’t crash if you take a moment to rest. Remember, ‘Sheep, not Shepherd.’

Jesus Satisfies His Sheep

See how compassionate Jesus is about the people’s hunger. Rather than getting annoyed that they came out to such a desolate place without bringing food, he patiently sits them down in the green grass and makes them a miraculous meal.

And they all ate and were satisfied. (verse 42)

Since Jesus satisfies his sheep, we get to be filled. Where the pleasures of this world leave us feeling empty, Jesus leaves us feeling full. You know that empty feeling when you finally turn off Netflix after binge watching for hours, or you swipe the Facebook window off your smartphone screen, or you finish the bowl of ice cream. Jesus is different. He is the bread of life. He satisfies our souls.

It’s okay to be sheep-like, because we have the Good Shepherd. Psalm 23 holds true for us:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

Discussion Starters

1. Take some time to catch up.
2. Read Mark 6:30-44 together.
3. What stands out most to you in this passage?
4. What do you notice about Jesus?
5. What do you notice about the disciples?
6. What do you notice about the crowd?
7. What are the implications of this passage for us?
8. Take some time to pray together.