Jesus and his disciples left the region of Tyre and Sidon and went along the Sea of Galilee. They were met by great crowds of people, most likely Gentiles, since they refer to God as the God of Israel (31; cf Mark 7:31, the Decapolis was primarily a Gentile area). They brought the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others in need of healing. For three days, Jesus healed them. The mute spoke, the lame walked, and the blind saw. God’s healing power was very present.

After three days of healing ministry, Jesus called his disciples to him. His compassion had not ended but continued (32). Before sending them on their way, Jesus desired to feed all the people who had gathered but had nothing to eat. Jesus’ compassion extended to all their needs – and his compassion extends to all our needs too.

Jesus invited his disciples to share in his compassion. His disciples wondered where they could get bread in that remote place. He asked them what they had. They only had seven loaves of bread and a few small fish. Jesus miraculously multiplied what they had and fed all the people with food left over. Four thousand men, besides women and children, were fed. Praise the God of Israel for his great compassion for sinners like us!
Application: Lord Jesus, thank you for your compassion for us. Help me to have compassion for others.
One Word: “I have compassion for these people.”