Are you drawn to Jesus?
by Pastor Glenn Crouch
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As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognised Jesus (Mark 6:54).
Read Mark 6:30–34,53–56
Our section from Mark’s Gospel bookends the feeding of the five thousand and Jesus walking on the water. Though these miracles are wonderful stories that show us who Jesus is, they are not our focus today. Rather we are looking at the people who are chasing after Jesus.
Imagine yourself as one of those in the crowd. You are eager to hear Jesus’ words as you’ve heard about the authority with which he speaks – how his very words change people. Perhaps you or a family member (or friend) is in need of healing, and if you can just bring this need to the attention of Jesus then all will be well – or maybe just get close enough to touch his cloak. It is hardly surprising that crowds formed wherever Jesus went.
Through prayer and through Scripture, we have access to Jesus today. Through baptism we die with Jesus in his death and are raised with him in his resurrection. As we receive holy communion, we receive his body and his blood.
But do we chase after these things? Are you drawn to Jesus? Do you seek out others so that you can pray to him together? Do you cross great distances to hear the gospel preached and to share at his table? We have easy access to the Bible on our phones – are we using them to learn more about Jesus?
I think we need to look again at those people in the crowds. We need to hunger after Jesus. We need our churches, our prayer meetings, our Bible studies to be overflowing. We need to listen afresh to the Holy Spirit as he draws us to Jesus!
Heavenly Father, you have supplied me with an abundance of resources, yet I barely use them. Through your Holy Spirit, make me like those in the crowds – make me desperate to follow Jesus. I know I need to spend more time in your word, in prayer, in fellowship – help me! In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Glenn is the Pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and also looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie-Boulder. Karen and he have been married since 1985 and have two grown sons – and have recently become grandparents.
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