[Jesus] was moved with compassion for them.—Matthew 9:36
Elizabeth’s story was moving, to say the least. Following a terribly humiliating experience in Massachusetts, she caught a bus to New Jersey to escape her embarrassment. Weeping uncontrollably, she hardly noticed that the bus had made a stop along the way. A passenger sitting behind her, a total stranger, began making his way off the bus when he suddenly stopped, turned, and walked back to Elizabeth. He saw her tears and handed her his Bible, saying that he thought she might need it. He was right. But not only did she need the Bible, she needed the Christ it speaks of. Elizabeth received Him as a result of this simple act of compassion by a stranger who gave a gift.
Jesus is our example of compassion. In Matthew 9, we read, “When He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd” (v.36). Not only did our Lord notice the pain and hurt of broken people, He responded to it by challenging His followers to pray for the Father to send out workers to respond to the hurts and needs of this dying world (v.38).
As we follow Christ’s example, a heart of compassion for shepherdless people can compel us to make a difference in the lives of others.— Bill Crowder
Father, open my eyes to see the hurts
and struggles of others. Then open
my heart to respond to them, so that through me they may see You and
Your love. Amen.
READ: Matthew 9:27-38
A world in despair needs
Christians who care.