Eyes Like Jesus
“When He saw the crowds, he felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:36 CSB
Hey friend,
Compassion.
Sometimes I am compassionate and other times I’m not. There are times when certain situations pull on my heartstrings and I want to move mountains immediately and then there are all the other times in life when I’m just not feeling it at all. I guess it just depends on the situation and the person. However, I’m challenged by our key verse in Matthew 9:36 “When He saw the crowds, he felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.”
During His earthly ministry, Jesus had been going from town to town, preaching the good news of the coming kingdom (vs. 35). He was not just around people but was in the midst of the daily grind of their lives. He saw their struggles and heartache and He was well aware of their search for fulfillment. He saw right past the surface and straight to the heart of the matter. And His response?
Compassion.
The people in the crowd were just like people are today. I can absolutely relate to them myself. I’ve had many times in my life where I have been distressed and dejected – bouncing around from one thing to another, thinking that I have found the source of my satisfaction and fulfillment but realizing that what I thought would satisfy me fell short of the mark.
People need Jesus. I need Jesus. I want to have eyes like Jesus that see past the surface and right to the heart of the matter. Because Jesus is the only one that will satisfy the deepest longing. Without Him, we all are like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus goes on to tell His disciples in Matthew 9:37, Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few.”
Everyone we meet on a daily basis has a need – we all struggle with something – and only Jesus can truly satisfy that need. May we all have eyes like Jesus – full of compassion – that sees the need of the soul and not just surface stuff.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your heart for people and thank you for your example. Help me to have eyes that sees like you do. Help me to look past what is on the surface and see the heart. Give me a heart of compassion and a heart for lost people and give me boldness to tell others about your love. In Jesus Name Amen.
Dig Deeper:
“And whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward. “Matthew 10:42 CSB