In Matthew 9:35 , it says,
“Jesus looked at the crowds and he had compassion on them, for they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd.”
That’s why his great heart was moved in compassion for them. And so should ours be for people today, because so many people in our world meet that description: harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. They don’t know right from wrong, they don’t know where they’re going, they don’t know where they came from, what they’re here for, or what their destiny is.
But we know the good shepherd. We know that Jesus the good shepherd will welcome them into his fold, will adopt them into his family, and ‘lead them beside still waters’. Jesus is the good shepherd. Evangelism is about introducing people who are harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd, to the one who we know will care for their souls, who will look after them in this life and the next, and bring them safely home. We have found a place of love and security and peace in the care, protection and provision of the one truly Good Shepherd.
Jesus looked upon us in our confusion, lostness and sin – and he was moved by compassion towards us. Does he not look at the lost people of our cities, and communities today with that same compassion? When he sees them trying to bear the burdens and pressures of life on their own, alienated from the God who can help them – is his great heart not still moved? United with Christ, we must learn from the master, and look at the crowds around us with similar compassion and go to the harrassed and helpless to tell them of the Good Shepherd who will enfold them in his love.
Prayer: Thank you Lord that you looked at me in my harrassed and confused state and had compassion on me. Forgive me for apathy and give me something of your compassion for the lost, those who don’t know you, who are like sheep without a shepherd.
