Like sheep without a shepherd
Compassionate Giving: Mark 6:30-42
The Salvation Army at this time of the year we are asked to respond to developing further the work of the kingdom of God here on Earth by giving sacrificially. Now this is a challenge, it started through one or two individuals giving of their time and resources so that others might be able to be feed and sheltered.
“General Booth came up with the concept after Major (later Commissioner) John Carleton said he would ‘go without his pudding’ for a time and donate the money he saved to the Army’s mission work.
‘Why not have an annual effort,’ said Booth, ‘in which everyone shall be invited to perform some act of self-denial?’ He announced the establishment of the ‘Self-Denial Fund’ in the 14 August 1886 edition of The War Cry: General Booth’s words;
‘We propose that a week be set apart in which every soldier and friend should deny himself some article of food or clothing, or some indulgence which can be done without, and that the price gained by the self-denial shall be sent to help us in this emergency.’
The Self-Denial Appeal was expanded internationally in 1888 and many innovative projects and methods were used to raise funds.”
Well the idea is still with us as we engage in self-denial, for those on missionary service.
The point of this is that it is sacrificial compassionate giving, following Jesus' example, Jesus is not putting himself first. As we read the gospel of Mark chapter 6:30-42 we see that Jesus showed great compassion on those around him. He was tired, the disciples were tired, they were all hungry, I don't know about you but when I am tired and hungry I’m also grumpy. But Jesus' advice was that they head off to a quiet spot and put their feet up, rest for a while. So as a group they headed off to this quiet spot only to find the crowd had got there before them. Now, this is where I'd be getting grumpy, and when I get grumpy I get vocal. “Why don't you lot leave us alone, we need rest, we need sleep, go away.”
This is what Jesus does! No he doesn't, he shows compassion. Why, well Mark says "they were like sheep without a shepherd, they were lost and wandering, vulnerable, and uncared for. Like sheep without a shepherd."
So Jesus began teaching them many things. Teaching many things takes time, takes effort and energy. Jesus showed compassion to these people, he taught them many things. He did this sacrificially.
In life we are constantly faced by situations that we can either react angrily or even ignore people, treating them like they are of no value, or we can show compassion to people. We have all been like those who followed Jesus and the disciples that day, like sheep without a shepherd, in need.
How do we respond to those we don’t understand, don’t like, or don’t know, to the vulnerable needy people of this world? How did Jesus respond, by showing compassion, not just feeling sorry for them but by getting involved in the solution to whatever the issue might be that has left them lost and vulnerable?
In Fiji, at this time many are struggling with their own needs and I am sure that there are people here today, in our wider community, in Sigatoka and the surrounding area who are in need of support due to the fall out of Covid-19.
In life, daily we are challenged about how we are to respond to others, this week when you are tired or hungry, maybe not having things just the way you want them when you see others in need, how will you respond?
There’s a saying that I have taken a bit of a liking to that says this, “Bread for me is a physical thing or maybe in Fiji, I could say breadfruit for me is a physical thing, bread or breadfruit for my neighbour is a spiritual thing.” Something happens when we extend ourselves and give of ourselves to others. Here’s another story about our founder.
It was Christmas Eve, 1910. General William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army was an invalid and near the end of his life—it was impossible for him to attend the Army’s annual convention.
Someone near the General suggested that Booth send a telegram to be read at the opening of the convention to the many Salvation Army soldiers in attendance as an encouragement for their many hours of labour serving others throughout the holidays and the cold winter months. Booth agreed.
Funds were limited and telegrams charged by the word, so to ensure as much money as possible would still go to help the needy, General Booth decided to send a one-word message. He searched his mind and reviewed his years of ministry, seeking the one word that would summarise his life, the mission of the Army, and encourage the soldiers to continue on.
When the thousands of delegates met, the moderator announced that Booth could not be present due to his failing health. Gloom and pessimism swept across the convention floor until the moderator announced that Booth had sent a telegram to be read at the start of the first session. He opened the message and read just one word:
“Others!”
Signed, General Booth. https://jaymccarl.com/2016/07/25/the-one-word-telegram/
The interesting thing about Jesus being compassionate and feeding of the five thousand is that while Jesus was there, while he worked the miracle, he didn’t feed the people, the people were feed by the disciples. Like the disciples, we have a part to play in doing the work of God, in connecting with others, in giving to or for others.
If we look at verses 41 and 42 we read; “Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied,”
Here’s something to think about; without the disciples handing out the food, the five thousand would have gone hungry. Like the disciples we have a part to play in doing the work of God in connecting with others.
We all have a part to play in blessing individuals, families our community with what Jesus has done for us, what Jesus has given us, the grace he has shown us. For he has blessed us in part so that we can be a blessing to others so that we can pass on what Jesus has given us. We have a part to play in delivering God’s miracles.
Jesus' brother James put it this way: What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder. (James 2:14-19).
Just now it is hard to give out of our pockets for many of us due to the Covid-19 situation. But there are many ways we can give.
In The Salvation Army we have our values, one of these is to “care for others.” This is not just for Corps officers; this is for all who attend, all Salvationists. Like the disciples we have a part to play in doing the work of God in connecting with others.
Care takes many forms, it could be picking up something from the shops or delivering something for a person who is not well or doesn’t have transport, it could be dropping a meal over to them.
It could be giving a single parent a bit of a break so that they can go and do those things for themselves. When I was a single parent I had very good Christian neighbours, Dave and Joy Goodin who looked after my boys for me before and after school so that I could continue to work.
There are many options for giving to others without giving financially, there are plenty of lonely people who could just do with a visit, someone to sit and talk, or even better to listen. Like the disciples, we have a part to play in doing the work of God in connecting with others.
One of the values we have in The Salvation Army is to give others a place to belong. Some people are on the outskirts of society. This is something that is probably less common in Fiji than in NZ or other parts of the world. We need to remind ourselves sometimes that at some point we were without Christ and as such lost in the ways of the world and our sins and that someone gave of themselves so that we could be where we are now. Like the disciples, we have a part to play in doing the work of God in connecting with others in giving to or for others.
In doing this we are seen to be “walking the talk” which is another one of The Salvation Army values. If we are genuine in or faith and our deeds we can make a difference in the lives of those we live with and around. This can range from small deeds of kindness, of contributing to the work at the Corps here or to the wider work of The Movement through sacrificial giving. I would never say that anyone should give beyond their means, but at times it does not hurt to go without.
There are also opportunities to get involved with other things around that make a difference here and in people’s eternities. There is quite a concern at present in Fiji about the Human Trafficking that goes on within Fiji. There was a shocking article in this week’s paper about an eleven-year-old girl that had been trafficked by family members. If we know about such things, if we even hear of these sorts of things, we have a duty to those that are being hurt to bring these things to the attention of the authorities. Our actions might be lifesaving! Like the disciples, we have a part to play in doing the work of God in connecting with others particularly those who are being exploited or are in danger.
Another of our values is to put Jesus first and I think of his words when he said; "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'” (Matthew 25:40).
In doing something for the lost and the needy we are doing it for our Saviour, this is an interesting twist in the way we think, but think of it this way, Jesus suffered and died so that others could come to salvation and be restored in their relationships with God, our Father.
So how to summarise what I have been saying?
When we see opportunities where we can make a difference for someone or our community, we should engage in these, giving of ourselves for the sake of others. This is likely to cost us something, time, possessions, food or money there is likely to be something that we need to sacrifice to do this. In the meantime, let us remember what God has done for us in the person of Jesus Christ who defeated sin and death for us.
In this week ahead think about what God is calling you to do, listen for his still small voice and act out of the love that he has shown for you compassionately giving. For there are many outside these doors who are going through life like sheep without a shepherd.
