By Rev. Canon David B. Tabo-oy
“Then 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.” – Mark 6:34
Compassion is defined as a “feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering (Dictionary.com).” This human behaviour or emotion was clearly displayed and accurately defined by Jesus’ behaviour in our gospel lesson this week.
The gospel lesson appointed this Sunday is full of priced gems for guidance and inspiration in our shared prophetic ministry and discipleship. The full lesson is found in Mark 6:30-44. The fourteen verses are action-packed – so many things happening in so short a time. The narrative tells us that when the disciples returned from their ‘on-the-job training’ of preaching, healing the sick, and casting out demons they reported their hands-on experiences to their master. Probably Jesus noticed their weariness and exhaustion so he invited them to go to a quiet place and rest for a while. While en route to that place they encountered a huge crowd that went ahead of them and waited in anticipation of something wonderful to happen. As Jesus gazed at the huge expectant crowd he was moved with compassion ‘for they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things’ (v.35). In Matthew’s version of the event he wrote, ‘he had compassion on them and healed their sick’ (Matt.14.14). The teaching and healing rally continued until late in the afternoon. Perhaps the disciples themselves were too tired and hungry so they suggested that Jesus send the crowd away since they do not have enough food supply and budget to feed thousands. But Jesus told the disciples to feed them. And we all now know the miraculous story of feeding the 5,000 out from meagre supply of five loaves and two fish in this segment of Jesus’ earthly ministry followed. Clearly here, Jesus compassion to the crowd was concretely expressed into action.
Indeed the disciples demonstrated accountability to Jesus by reporting their activities to him, at the same time, Jesus encouraged them to take care of themselves by drawing them away for rest and solitude. To continue helping others, the disciples needed time apart for personal reflection and refreshment. Unfortunately, their time apart was delayed by many who followed them. We must balance our life, too, taking time apart to recharge our spiritual and emotional batteries. As we take time to reflect, let us not forget the people around us and their needs and we will learn the lesson that compassion or feeling their pains and privation demands not just palliatives but concrete action. Further we learn here that humility and dependence on God that are necessary for our progress and effective prophetic ministry and discipleship.
The celebrated South African leader Nelson Mandela said, “Our human compassion binds us one to the other – not in pity or patronizingly, but as human beings who have learnt how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future.” But the difficult part of this aspiration is to translate it realistically to our daily struggle and survival amidst this life’s challenges.
The Old Testament prophet Hosea proclaimed, “So you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.” (Hosea 12:6 ESV). God asks his people to love him by loving others. We are to seek the best interests of others in a manner consistent with God’s revealed will. When we are tempted to take advantage of others for personal gain, we need to ask God to help us to be just and loving – compassionate. It is only with God’s help that we can treat others like he wants them to be treated.
A Christian author wrote about a political leader summing up the brokenness of our time likened into a “Humpty-Dumpty world.” The intriguing phrase takes us back to a childhood nursery rhyme: “Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall; Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t put Humpty Dumpty together again.” The message of that rhyme is true to life. Man is broken and needs to be put together again. The Creator of the universe cares about our situation and has taken steps to restore us to wholeness. He came into the world in the person of Jesus Christ, and He fashioned the church as His body so that the members should “care for one another”. To have compassion to one another. To act in love and give hope to those who are broken – just like the crowd likened to sheep without a shepherd as Jesus saw it during that time. Caring is as basic as giving money to help destitute persons or looking after aged parents; as simple as being patient and kind and attend to those who come to us for help even when we are in rest and recreation modes; as obvious as paying a just wage to employees; or as unspectacular as giving a cup of cool water to someone who thirsts. That’s how our Saviour would have us care for broken people in our Humpty-Dumpty world.
Jesus’ compassion was first displayed and recorded in Mark’s gospel in the opening chapter. It took place when a leper fell on his knees before Jesus and made the request for healing. V”And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.” (Mark 1.41). Jesus was moved with compassion. The same emotional behaviour that possessed him upon seeing the huge restless and aimless crown on that lake shore. Jesus touched the unclean man and healed him when he could have just pronounced healing sans touching. Jesus stayed with the crowd and healed their infirmities and taught them many things when he could have just moved on with his disciples to their place of rest and solitude. His compassionate love moved him to action. Jesus taught when he lived on this earth how to show love to the lost; so don’t be afraid to give a kind touch, no matter how much it may cost.
“Our uniqueness, our individuality, and our life experience moulds us into fascinating beings. I hope we can embrace that. I pray we may all challenge ourselves to delve into the deepest resources of our hearts to cultivate an atmosphere of understanding, acceptance, tolerance, and compassion. We are all in this life together.” – Linda Thompson**
