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Whenever I read verses that talk about Jesus’ compassion I am amazed. In verse 34 is says, “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.” We are very much like that crowd. Just like sheep, we are easily distracted and scattered. If it weren’t for the Shepherd in our lives we would be just as lost. I know that our relationship with Jesus is a two way street, but the reality is that Jesus draws me closer to Him and I do. If it weren’t for His constant calling on my life to come closer I would be far, far away from Him by now. I thank God daily for being the strong one in our relationship because the reality is I am too easily pulled in all the wrong directions.
Daily Devotion 
I love reading Mark’s account of this, because he gives such a great account of the disciples’ reaction to everything Jesus was doing. Yet again, they don’t get it. Boy, it makes me feel better to know that these guys who spent every day with Jesus, saw him do stuff, still didn’t get it. Here we are , 2000 years later, reading about it. No wonder we sometimes don’t get it!
But I’m curious to know, Mark writes “At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them, walking on the sea. He intended to go right by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and screamed, scared out of their wits.” Why was he intending to go right by them? Any ideas. I chuckled to myself when I read that, because I’m picturing Jesus, out for a leisurely walk, whistling a happy tune, ya know, on the water, because what’s odd about that, and he’s just gonna walk by the guys and hope they don’t notice? What? Was he just planning on walking to the other side and surprising the guys when they got there in the morning? Like, “Hey guys, what took you so long! I got here hours ago!” I wouldn’t put it past him, but just curious if anyone has any thoughts about that.
I literally laughed at your comment about Jesus intending to walk right past them. I never thought of it that way. I really could not imagine what Jesus’ intent was, but I do think Jesus had a real sense of humor. I wonder if He was trying to just mess with them… I wouldn’t put it past Him. But it is definitely a funny thought!
It’s so interesting that Jesus was rejected in His home town. It makes me think about how difficult it is to share God’s love through Jesus with the people that are close to us. We all have people in our lives that we have close relationships with where we find it difficult to have a break through with them and talk about eternal things. I know I get frustrated and dejected when these opportunties don’t present themselves or go no where. I wonder how Jesus felt? Mark says He was amazed at their unbelief. I have to believe that it crushed Him that the people who He had known all of His life wouldn’t believe He was the Son of God. They had known Him since He was a little boy and couldn’t believe.