Daily Reflections From Higher Things®

Today's Reading: Mark 8:1-9 Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 10:1-27; Acts 22:17-29 [Jesus said], "I have compassion …" (Mark 8:2a) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Why does Jesus do the things He does? What moves Him? John wrote that Jesus was "full of grace" (John 1:14). Grace is God's unmerited favor, His unearned love for His creatures. He doesn't bless those who deserve it, but His blessings are given to those He loves, to those who need them. Mark records in our text that Jesus saw the crowds and said, "I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat." Compassion: This is why Jesus blesses. This is grace, His unmerited favor. This is love in action. He sees people in need and provides for them. At this time and place He miraculously provided food for their bodies. He provided more than enough, so that everyone ate and was satisfied and there was plenty leftover. At other times Jesus provided for people by healing diseases or restoring sight and hearing.