"As he saw the crowds, his heart was filled with pity for them." Matthew was one of Jesus' disciples. In writing this line he was able to see something in Jesus that the other disciples had missed: As Jesus looked at the crowds, "he was filled with pity." Perhaps Matthew saw a tear in Jesus' eye, or perhaps there was a slight change in the familiar voice of his Lord.
Jesus' compassion was aroused for the people, because he saw that they were worried and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. There was no one to care for them spiritually. Despite the fact that at that period of history there was a strong leadership, those leaders were primarily looking out for their own interests and the interests of those close to them.
In the gospel of John Jesus describes the situation even more clearly: "I am the good shepherd, who is willing to die for the sheep. When the hired man, who is not a shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees a wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and runs away; so the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them. The hired man runs away because he is only a hired man and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd. As the Father knows me and I know the Father, in the same way I know my sheep and they know me. And I am willing to die for them." (John 10:11-15).
Leaders who are only "hired" are working for personal gain. At the moment things get dangerous they abandon the flock and stop taking care of them.
Do we have the compassion of the Lord? Is the compassion of the Lord just a momentary emotion that is soon forgotten? Sometimes I find myself so busy with all kinds of things, worries, activities; dozens of people can pass right next to me, and I won't even notice.
On that day Jesus taught his disciples an important lesson about compassion: look at those around you, pray for them, and work for a good harvest for them.
Lord Jesus, forgive the self-centeredness that causes us to focus so much on ourselves. Open our eyes that we may see what you see. Fill our hearts with your compassion, so that we may share the privilege of working in your harvest.
- 1 JUNE -