Introduction to Week 2 - Mark chapters 5-8

The Compassion of Christ 

People were drawn to Jesus. They were drawn by His teaching, they were drawn by His power, and they were drawn by His personality. They realized the truth of His message. They felt compassion in His touch. They sensed sincerity in His voice.

The great outstanding purpose of Jesus’ ministry was to bring people into a right relationship with God. (Mark 1:15) Jesus began His ministry publicly preaching the word. As Jesus walked from town to town spreading the good news, crowds of people heard Him teaching and saw evidences of His power. Crowds of people followed Him, and He ministered to them.

Jesus also ministered privately - One on one. He knew the real need in each situation. Look closely as you read the conversations in these chapters. You’ll see His desire for a personal relationship with each individual. He wanted more than to heal and help, He wanted people to recognize His true identity as the Son of God.  He wanted to save them unto eternal life.

Jesus even went outside the Jewish community to those who needed Him. That’s where our reading this week begins. Jesus traveled across the lake, that is the Sea of Galilee, into a community of Gentiles - to help one individual.

This week’s reading: Mark chapters 5-8

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So He began teaching them many things. Mark 6:34