How have you experienced compassion? Someone opening a door for you? A smile given to you when you needed it the most? Being responded to with kindness during a difficult time? Have you fallen short and not lived up to societal expectations, but you have an encountered someone who chooses to be nice to you rather than condemn you? Showing compassion is more than a nice thing to do. Showing compassion to someone is powerful.
Matthew 9:35-38 says Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
What does Jesus teach us about compassion?
- He saw crowds that were confused.
- His heart throbbed with compassion for them because they were distressed & the crowds Jesus saw were like sheep without a shepherd.
When we go out this week, we will see people who are confused by life’s problems. Will our hearts be moved to find a way to help them? As we move about, we will see people who resemble sheep who may who have no one to guide them. Will we will be willing to provide a little of our time to point them in the right direction? Jesus is our Shepherd (John 10:11), let us point others to Him!
