Why do you spend money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?

Oh, Good Shepherd, we praise you! Thank you for your compassion on us, the sheep of your flock. We confess:

     Because you are the great and powerful Shepherd, we shall not want.
     It is you who makes us lie down in green pastures.
    You lead us beside still waters.
     It is you who restores our souls.
     You lead us in paths of righteousness for your name's sake.

     (Psalm 23)

As the Good Shepherd, you call to us: Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? May we listen diligently to your Word and eat what is good, delighting in your banquet table. Amen. (Isaiah 55)

Scripture Reading - Mark 6:30-46 (ESV)

     The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

     And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.

     And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

     But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.”

     And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?”

     And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.”

     Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.
     Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.

Thank you, Lord Jesus for your care upon our lives. As we do the will of the Father, you are there to care for our well being. You call us to come away with you to a quiet place for rest. Thank you for the rest that your presence brings, the peace that passes all understanding. Thank you for how you strengthen us and speak to us in these times of quiet, restoring our souls as we rest by the still waters of goodness and mercy. (Psalm 23)

Lord, even as the crowds sought you out, we seek you just as persistently. We want to forsake our wicked ways and unrighteous thoughts. We repent, turn to you, that you may have compassion on us. For you are a Father who will abundantly pardon. As far as the east is from the west, so far have you removed our sins! (Isaiah 55, Psalm 103)

Father, we know that your Word will not return empty. As your holy ones, we will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall make a name for the Lord, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. Oh the beauty of your reconciling power through the blood of Jesus! Amen. (Isaiah 55)

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.