"When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things." (Mark 6:34) When this passage opens, Jesus has just gotten the news that his cousin, John the Baptist, who was the forerunner of his ministry, had been beheaded in prison. It's heavy news. Jesus tries to get away for a bit, but people just keep needing things from him. Have you ever felt like this, like your already being crushed by the weight of life and then even more demands come your way? Jesus knows how that feels. Do you know how He responds with compassion? He shows empathy and He sees their neediness. He enters in patiently teaching the wayward and providing for the needy. That's us too! Wayward and needy. I'm so grateful we can learn from him and receive what He gives us because He is where the joy is.