“30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 He said to them, “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. 32 And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. 34 As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things. 35 When it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now very late; 36 send them away so that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy something for themselves to eat.” 37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “Are we to go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves have you? Go and see.” When they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then he ordered them to get all the people to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties. 41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to his disciples to set before the people, and he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And all ate and were filled, 43 and they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men” Mark 6:30-44.
One of the great aspects of living as a Christian are the “glorious interruptions” that come into our lives. Such “glorious interruptions” come at different times, often when we least expect them. They come through different people and events and occurrences in our life. Some “glorious interruptions” are so painful; others are soothing, forgiving and merciful, even uplifting surprises.
But all of our “glorious interruptions” come to us from Christ!
The challenge regarding our very personal “glorious interruptions” is this: Will we recognize them as gifts from God?
When we are hurt by someone, will we hear God’s voice in the pain? When someone we love gets sick and dies, will we see God’s presence and hear His voice? When we lose a job and we suddenly have to change the trajectory of our life, do we see this as a moment of grace from God?
When someone in our family, or a friend of ours, is going through a crisis — and needs and doesn’t always ask for our help — can we see the presence and power and love of God beckoning us to reach out and help? When life is moving along relatively smoothly and something happens to surprise us and challenge us to change, to make a difference, to step up and help, can we see and feel that God is with us?
Take time today and consider some of the “glorious interruptions” in your life. How are you reacting? Have you asked God to guide You? Have you prayed and asked for help?
In today’s story from Mark, Jesus is “gloriously interrupted” when the crowd shows up unanticipated. I think verse 34 is so instructive to us all: “34 As Jesus went ashore, He saw a great crowd, and He had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and He began to teach them many things” John 6:34. Jesus was trying to get away for some prayer, for some private time, when all of a sudden “a great crowd” gloriously interrupted His plans. And look how Jesus reacted: “…He had compassion for them…”.
Let that be your prayer today, that when things happen in your life, the answer isn’t to get your way. The answer isn’t to moan and grown and complain. The answer isn’t to think to yourself, “TOMORROW I’ll help them.” Instead, the answer is to turn to God and ask for for His gentle grace and blessings to be Christ for others. NOW!
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
From the Bible:
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” Ephesians 4:32.
“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience” Colossians 3:12.
“Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” Galatians 6:2.
“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind” 1 Peter 3:8.
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