August, 2018

Jesus said to the ones who were sent out, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the surrounding towns and arrived ahead of them. As Jesus went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had deep compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.             
Mark 6:30-34, NRSV

           This scripture continues to work on me this week after last week’s sermon preparation.  What stands out for you? I first notice the compassion Jesus had for the apostles—those who were sent out to heal, teach, and trust in the goodness of those they meet to help in providing shelter and food.  They were to take only a staff and sandals. No money or bread. As they return and share the excitement of their time out in mission, Jesus recognizes they are in need of quiet—a ‘deserted place’ in order to be fed in body, mind, and spirit.  I love Jesus pays attention to their need for bodily sustenance in addition to their need for quiet and a time to clear house, and just be. At least, that’s how I interpret a ‘deserted place’. It’s the place previously in this gospel where the Holy Spirit compels Jesus to go directly after his baptism.  It is where the ‘wild beasts and angels’ attend to him. It is here where his vocation—what he is to do from here on out, solidifies. Thus, a ‘deserted place’ is not necessarily peaceful or without it’s shedding of what has become very important, yet may not be what we truly need or want. A ‘deserted place’ is often a mixture of struggle and growth, clarification and letting go.
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           I then love that Jesus went with them and that others saw them leave.  They wanted to be with him so much that they went from miles around to that deserted place to receive all that he had to offer.  When was the last time you so desired to be with Jesus that you went that ‘extra mile’? When was the last time you said, “No” to the many opportunities available to spend time elsewhere, and decided instead to be with Jesus?  When did you last go to a ‘deserted place,’ open to receive the gifts it offers instead of running away or busying yourself? It’s so easy to get distracted these days! To listen to everyone else except the whisper of truth, love, grace and healing within.  It is so easy to miss the voice of God when so many other voices ring loud and clear. Yet, so much of it falls short, unable to truly feed the soul or nurture our true beings.
    
            Last, but not least, I love the compassion Jesus has for all the people in need—his apostles and the crowd.  He recognizes the need for truth, integrity, and compassionate leadership is wanting. He’s willing to include the crowd while tending to his apostles’ need for sustenance and care.  That’s how big the heart and arms of Jesus are! He leaves no one wanting or in need. It seems by experiencing such abundance, those who receive are called do likewise. It’s the gospel story made real for us in the person of Jesus Christ.  May we, as part of the Church—the body of Christ, continue to live as such and hear what that means in the specifics of our today—at home, in this community and beyond. 

In Christ I pray, 
​Pastor Dawn