COMPELLED BY COMPASSION
Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And He healed every kind of disease and illness. When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Matthew 9:35-36 (NLT)
Jesus traveled extensively during His ministry. Everywhere He went, He encountered people who needed Him. Some were physically sick, needing to be cleansed from an illness or disease. On a few occasions, He actually raised the dead to life. But there were others who weren’t physically sick that still very much needed the intercession of the Savior. They were lost, confused or broken.
Consider Zacchaeus, who, besides being a wee little man, had been cheating people in his work as a tax collector. Or consider the rich young ruler who trusted in his wealth instead of God. Or consider the woman at the well in John 4, who was openly living in sin, scorned by those around her. There’s a plethora of examples, but they all have one thing in common: Jesus had compassion on them. Whether they ultimately chose to follow Him or not, He had compassion. They were like sheep without a shepherd. And what we know about Jesus is that He is the good shepherd. Consider what He says in John 10:14-16 (NLT):
“I am the Good Shepherd; I know My own sheep, and they know Me, just as My Father knows Me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice My life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to My voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.”
John 10:14-16 (NLT)
Jesus is our shepherd—He guides and protects us. If we are truly His sheep, we will listen for and recognize His voice. He has sacrificed Himself for us because of His deep love for us. May we never grow desensitized to the radical love and compassion of our Savior.
APPLICATION:
Thank Jesus for who He is and what He has done. Thank Him for the compassion He has shown you in your life. Be specific where you can.
PRAYER:
Almighty Father, thank You for Your Son Jesus, who has shown incomparable love and compassion to me. Thank You for Your patience with me. Help me to live out of a place of gratitude, willingly submitting to and surrendering to Your ways. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?