Everyone Needs Compassion
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Matthew 9:36
When Jeff was a new believer in Jesus and fresh out of college, he worked for a major oil company. In his role as a salesman, he traveled; and in his travels he heard people’s stories—many of them heartbreaking. He realized that what his customers most needed wasn’t oil, but compassion. They needed God. This led Jeff to attend seminary to learn more about the heart of God and eventually to become a pastor.
Jeff’s compassion had its source in Jesus. In Matthew 9:27-33 we get a glimpse of Christ’s compassion in the miraculous healing of two blind men and one demon-possessed man. Throughout His earthly ministry, He went about preaching the gospel and healing “through all the towns and villages” (v. 35). Why? “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (v. 36).
The world today is still full of troubled and hurting people who need the Savior’s gentle care. Like a shepherd who leads, protects, and cares for his sheep, Jesus extends His compassion to all who come to Him (11:28). No matter where we are in life and what we’re experiencing, in Him we find a heart overflowing with tenderness and care. And when we’ve been a beneficiary of God’s loving compassion, we can’t help but want to extend it to others.
By Alyson Kieda
REFLECT & PRAY
Heavenly Father, we’re so grateful You had compassion on us! We would be lost without You. Help us to extend Your overflowing compassion to others.
When have you experienced God’s tender care? Who can you reach out to in compassion?
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
God’s sovereignty is described three times in Matthew 9:37-38. First, God is the Lord of the harvest. This means He owns the field and watches over it, and the results of the harvest are given to Him.
He’s also the one who hires and sends the workers. The workers perform the work, but they don’t go of their own accord—the Lord of the harvest sends them. Finally, the field belongs to Him. The field is His, He sends the workers, and the harvest goes to Him. J.R. Hudberg
He’s also the one who hires and sends the workers. The workers perform the work, but they don’t go of their own accord—the Lord of the harvest sends them. Finally, the field belongs to Him. The field is His, He sends the workers, and the harvest goes to Him. J.R. Hudberg
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