LIKE SHEEP WITHOUT A SHEPHERD

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
Analysis by Brian Moeller

30The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31He 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. 32And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. 33Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. 34As 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.

53When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. 54When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, 55and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56And 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.

From Canva

“Jesus sees us for who we are and is willing to be our shepherd.”

DIAGNOSIS: Lost amid the many voices

Step 1: Initial Diagnosis (External Problem): Lost sheep in a lost world
The crowds who followed Jesus were “like sheep without a shepherd” (v. 34), people who were looking for someone or something to put their trust in. Some of these people were dealing with sickness and disease (v. 55). Others were no doubt struggling with poverty and social issues that left them ostracized from their communities. It’s not a stretch to imagine that some were afflicted with mental illness, or even demonic possession. At the same time, there were so many voices in the world demanding the attention of all these poor souls, claiming to have authority over them, to be the answer to their prayers, or the power that would crush them if they disobeyed. Overwhelmed by fear, anxiety and uncertainty, the people are desperate for someone to show them the way through the trauma they are experiencing.

The same can be said for us post-moderns today, living in a time when the loudest voices that speak to us artfully blur the lines between good and evil. We have become addicted to “doom-scrolling,” and consume information full of vitriol and hatred at a blistering pace. Rates of mental illness are skyrocketing, especially among our youth. Even simple tasks like purchasing food and clothing become political flashpoints that can lead to being labeled as “the other” and being ostracized from community. It seems that life as we know it hangs in the balance, that at any moment things may “go south.” We are told you are either with us or against us – but which do we choose? What message do we accept as truth? Like lost sheep, we look for someone to lead us.

Step 2: Advanced Diagnosis (Internal Problem): Overwhelmed and despairing
One can only function in a world full of division and confusion for so long before desperation and despair enter our hearts. We are worn down and are physically and spiritually lost.

This is just as true today as it was two millennia ago. Today, the ruler of this world and his minions tell us to end our suffering by taking what we “deserve” at the expense of others. And if we are accused, we never admit wrongdoing; we instead blame our transgressions on others. We lift ourselves up by pushing others down. We seek to secure our own futures, and the rest of society be damned in the process.

But no matter our level of success in securing our own future, we find ourselves still unhappy. The “winning” we were promised (Jeremiah 23:2) doesn’t seem to bring about the contentment we hoped for. In fact, it seems to have made the desperation and despair even worse. The more we have, the more we fear losing it.

Step 3: Final Diagnosis (Eternal Problem): Trusting the wrong voice leads to death
But as we choose which leader or influencer we will emulate, which empire or party we will give our allegiance to, we only end up placing out faith and trust in the works of human beings, which always leads to the same outcome. Neither the “Roma Invicta” of old or the “Make America Great Again” of today will save a person from the six-foot hole in the ground that awaits them (Jeremiah 23:1). Turning our backs on God and embracing false teachers and the security they offer in God’s place always leads to death.

From Canva

PROGNOSIS: Found by the Voice of the one true Shepherd

Step 4: Initial Prognosis (Eternal Solution): The true shepherd gives his life for his sheep
Amazingly, Jesus sees us for who we are, in all the depth of our lostness, and is willing to be our Shepherd. He has compassion for us (v. 34). He is willing to lead us through all of the chaos and confusion in which we find ourselves. He takes our sin to the cross – all of the things we have done that come between us and a right relationship with God – and there puts them to death in his own body.

Step 5: Advanced Prognosis (Internal Solution): From overwhelmed to overjoyed
Through the heartfelt repentance of our sins and our faith in the crucified and risen Christ, we are made whole again. Righteous before God, we get to take our place in hope and promise, even when our mortal bodies cease to function. The Shepherd guides his once lost sheep to their eternal home.

Christ heals us from our transgressions and gives us his promise of the life of the resurrection. He restores our souls and leads us in right paths for his name’s sake (Ps. 23:3). Moved by his Gospel-message and filled with the Holy Spirit, our hearts are changed and made new. The old fear, anxiety and desperation are swept away. We find the peace (Ephesians 2:14) that always eludes us in the world’s message of selfishness and security. Our hearts open to him in faith and joy, trusting in his mercy (Jeremiah 23:3).

Step 6: Final Prognosis (External Solution): The flock seeks other lost sheep
Being filled with faith and joy changes not only how we view God, but also how we interact with others in the world. We tune out the voices that would have us judge, shame and exclude others. We embrace the urgency to share the newness of faith and joy with others (v. 56). We get to love others, without counting the cost.

We live this promising new life so that all may be led away from the chaos and confusion of the world to places of quiet and rest (v. 31). Gathered together in worship, we hear the preached word of the Gospel and receive the gifts of grace, which we then get to share. Where there was desperation and fear, we bring healing and wholeness. We love, welcome, and serve God’s people in the various ways we are called by the Holy Spirit.

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