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The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 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. 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 towns and arrived ahead of them. 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. When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the market-places, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed. (Mark 6:30-34, 53-56)
I pray you're having, or about to have, a wonderful day, dear Friend! May time spent in prayer and Bible study be an investment in rich blessings that are coming your way! As you pray today, please remember to lift up The Rev. Virgilio Vasquez-Garza of San Antonio undergoing needed eye surgery. May the Lord work through the surgeon and all who will tend to Virgilio today, to bring him health. Thank you!
Years ago, I was serving a church in Mission, Texas. We had a wonderful member who worked with the McAllen Chamber of Commerce. She was the "go-to" lady in international relations as well as business relations. And she called me and asked, if the church could allow a new pizza company to park an 18-wheeler kitchen in front of our educational building. The company was Little Caesar's and they were making their national debut. Their idea was to bring a huge mobile kitchen to several areas, set up shop and just hand out free pizza. Those two words together are enough to start a buzz in any neighborhood. Heck, just say one of those words around my grandkids and contentment arrives with a huge smile on its face! Thinking evangelistically as well as realistically, I said yes! And so I started calling church members whom I knew would come and help out in whatever ways we could, adding those two magical words for their own families, "Free Pizza!" The truck came, as did the people. The realistic side of me knew there were people with not enough to eat in our neighborhood, and soon they were all in line. Not a bad deal. A large, pepperoni pizza to go. We soon had crowds in front of our church. Word got out.
The same thing always happened to Jesus, who by the way, beats free pizza any day of the week! His messages, His healing touch were what the crowds wanted and needed. This passage for today shows the impact the crowds had on Jesus. "They had no leisure even to eat." That's busy. And when they try to get some down time to themselves, they're followed or word gets out that He and his band were in a certain place, and there come the crowds again. Jesus loved the people with His eyes of a shepherd; "They were like sheep without a shepherd." And as the Good Shepherd, He taught them about life and its fullness that He offered and still offers today. The crowds were drawn to Jesus and more so when they discovered that even touching the fringe or hem of His garment, they could be healed.
Most of us will fight a crowd to get free pizza. All of us will fight a crowd to be made whole. But how many of us will seek the quiet place for prayer to just touch Jesus' heart with our prayers? Jesus is within reach; we have but to reach out and seek to touch Him. We may think, He's too busy, when in reality we're saying we're too busy, or we're unwilling to make time to touch Jesus. Make time. Share with your Savior that which is making your sick. It may be a mental issue like worry, or a symptom of an illness - give it to Jesus. It may be an emotional issue; a precious relationship is in peril - give it to Jesus. Whatever it is, Jesus has dealt with it before and He will surely deal with yours.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, behind my busyness, I sense the weakness in my life. You better then me know what it is, and I turn it over to You. May this be the touch I've been searching for; may your garment of peace, healing, and truth be that which touches me as I seek to touch You. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! May you lead others to the touch of Jesus!
Eradio Valverde
