Consider the Word, July 15, 2021

Consider the Word, July 15, 2021
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Readings for July 18:

• 2 Samuel 7:1-14a
• Psalm 89:20-37
• Ephesians 2:11-22
• Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

 
Collect

Almighty God,

your Son has opened for us

a new and living way into your presence.

Give us pure hearts and constant wills

to worship you in spirit and in truth;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 
Reading: Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

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 marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

 
Reflection Questions

1. The need for rest and its benefits are a theme that runs throughout scripture. Where and how do you find rest?
2. The word “compassion” means “with”, “passion.” But the word we translate as “compassion” means, “to feel in the bowel.” Does that understanding affect how you think about the depth of the love of Christ?

 
Closing Prayer

Holy God of Israel,

ever present and moving among your people,

draw us near to you,

that in place of hostility there may be peace;

in place of loneliness, compassion;

in place of aimlessness, direction;

and in place of sickness, healing;

through Christ Jesus, in whom you draw near to us. Amen.

 
The Message: Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

^30-31 The apostles then rendezvoused with Jesus and reported on all that they had done and taught. Jesus said, “Come off by yourselves; let’s take a break and get a little rest.” For there was constant coming and going. They didn’t even have time to eat.

^32-34 So they got in the boat and went off to a remote place by themselves. Someone saw them going and the word got around. From the surrounding towns people went out on foot, running, and got there ahead of them. When Jesus arrived, he saw this huge crowd. At the sight of them, his heart broke—like sheep with no shepherd they were. He went right to work teaching them.

^53-56 They beached the boat at Gennesaret and tied up at the landing. As soon as they got out of the boat, word got around fast. People ran this way and that, bringing their sick on stretchers to where they heard he was. Wherever he went, village or town or country crossroads, they brought their sick to the marketplace and begged him to let them touch the edge of his coat—that’s all. And whoever touched him became well.

The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson