Jesus’ Open Arms

In the Gospel of Mark chapter 6 (30-34), we read: “As Jesus went ashore, he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion for them… and he began to teach them many things.” And then, not that long after, Mark tells us that when Jesus and the disciples crossed over the sea of Galilee: “When they got out of the boat there, people at once recognized him and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick… to wherever they heard he was” (6:53-56).

As we look at these two stories together, we get this picture of tremendous need – maybe even desperation. People were obviously drawn to Jesus. And I have to wonder: Did they know he was the Savior? Or were they simply moved by his teaching? Had they heard of others being healed by his hands? Could they sense his compassion? Did they know God was at work within him?

What did they see in him?

What do you see in him? Why are you drawn to him?

Over the years, I’ve seen people drawn to him for many different reasons. And drawn closer to him at different times in their lives.

I know I’ve shared with you all before about my friend who battled addiction in high school – and finally hit rock bottom while on the street – with nowhere to go. And in a state of desperation, he fell to his knees and began to pray…

I can’t do this on my own…

And then, I also remember early one December morning, I was down on the beach in Saint Augustine. It was one of those foggy cool mornings, just before low tide. And I noticed something written in the wet sand, right above the tide line. It was a prayer that read, “Jesus, please, please fix our marriage.”

I’ve known what it is like to have that level of need… And you probably have too… whether it was worrying about a child, or you struggled with an illness or physical impairment, or whether you felt the weight of some other burden on your shoulders, or whether you were desperate for forgiveness…

One of my favorite images of Jesus is Jesus the Redeemer – with open arms. As if he is saying: “Come unto me all you who are weary and heavy ladened…”

Mark tells us that when Jesus saw the crowds he had compassion on them. He has compassion for you as well.

Let us pray: Loving God, thank you for your love and compassion for us. We ask for your healing grace to fall afresh on our lives, even now. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.