Jesus Feels

“I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat.” Mark 8:2 (TNIV)

Jesus finds Himself once more surrounded by hungry crowds.  He had been teaching them and some had come from long distances.  They flocked to Him.  He was caring for their yearning souls.  These people had heard that what Jesus had to share with them was more substantial than what their teachers were trying to feed them.  They searched Him out.  They left their comfortable homes to be with Him.  They used up their provisions just so that they could stay in His presence.  It was there by His side where their souls were being nourished.

Our Savior says that His heart went out to them.    He sees their lack of nourishment. He feels for their needs.  These special souls correctly recognized their emptiness.  They came and they stayed by Him.  He sees this simple faith.  He feels.  Somewhere in the great heart of our Lord there is a part that reacts to our need.  He cannot let His children go without.  He doesn´t want any of us to suffer.

It may be greatly beneficial to keep in mind what it is that touches the Lord´s heart.  It is not the hunger.  It is not people sitting there faithfully seated in the congregation.  It is not the fact that we are not running loose in the streets acting like heathens.  Instead it is people genuinely reacting out of their need for Him.  The key is when Children of the Lord recognize a hunger within them.  They step out in a way that puts them where He can feed them.  The elements are, need of God, recognition, reaction, and a little faith that He does fill our need.  Jesus sees these genuine conditions. He is quick to respond.

Today there are many who congregate in churches.  There are some who go to literature.  People come to Jesus for many reasons.  But are those reasons good ones?  Are they clever souls looking to gain themselves better standing?  Are we coming to religion to improve our options?  Are we looking to get something extra for ourselves?  Are we trying to clean ourselves up to look better in the eyes of others?  Or is there an emptiness that we feel inside?  Do we truly need Jesus?  Are we hungry?

God above demonstrates how His heart goes out to His people time and time again.  He has sent prophet and His Son.  We have history and the entire Bible to remind us.  He clearly shows us which attitudes are rewarded and praised.  So often He has shown that the condition of the heart is the determining factor.

Perhaps we could take a moment out of our busy schedules to consider our situation personally today.  When was the last time we examined our souls for hunger?  Was it a fleeting thought?  Or did we think it through carefully?  Did we realize our lack?  Did we sense the fact that God has something we need?  Did our insufficiency throw us further upon Him for filling?  Did we leave behind comfortable thoughts or situations to pursue more of Him?  Or were we already satisfied with what we already have or already know?

Dear Lord, many do not realize a deep hunger inside.  For them we pray.  But some of us are starving.  We are weak and will not make it home.  Please recognize our need.  Let your heart go out to your hungry followers.  We have come to You.  We did not rest comfortably but have moved out to find You.  You have what we need.  Feed us we pray.  Feed us with more of You so that we never hunger for anything else.

Amen