Compassion

Then Jesus went to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness. When He saw the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd.

Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into the harvest." Matthew 9:35-38

Jesus had compassion, compassion touches need and heals the need. He had compassion because the crowds were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd.

Sheep who have a shepherd are cared for, well fed, safe and well groomed. Uncared for sheep are fly blown with maggots, they are in pain, their wool is filthy and unkempt, they are prey to wolves and they die prematurely.

It is interesting that this observation was given. Jesus taught about the 'Good shepherd' and likened Himself to such. He cleansed the wounds, loved the lost and brought them home. The bad shepherds had abused and used the sheep, left them when the wolves came and looked to their own needs.

Jesus told His disciples to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into the harvest so that the sheep would be cared for. He was preparing them for what would come next, they would go to the harvest.

What is the key ingredient of a good shepherd? Compassion. Compassion goes right to the reality of the need and fills it. Lord have mercy, fill me with compassion. Amen!