Today's readings are Genesis 18.1-15 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Gen.+18.1-15 ), Mark 6.14-34 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Mark+6.14-34 ), and Genesis 18.16-20.18 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Gen.+18.16-20.18 ).
We draw our attention to Mark 6.34, "When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things" (ESV). Jesus sees our true condition, that of sheep without a shepherd. We are helpless, unable to care for ourselves well, easily frightened, plagued by disease and frailty. And like sheep, we are blissfully unaware of that situation. Without Christ's illumination, without the revelation the Lord has given us in Scripture, we remain unaware of the mortal danger we are in, danger not only in this world but also in the next.
Look closely at how the Lord deals with us sheep. See how he provides us the shepherding care. He teaches the people. While we don't know what he taught the people, it doesn't take a very great leap of the imagination to see that Jesus would be teaching them about himself, of his redemption, of the glory of God and his kingdome come to walk among the people.
Lest we think ourselves wise, safe, strong and healthy, let us feed ourselves on the teaching that the Lord has given us in Scripture. May we see ourselves as the Lord sees us. More importantly, may we see our Lord and Savior as he has presented himself in Scipture. He is our life. He is our shepherd. We are his sheep, who now have a shepherd.
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