“When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36).
Why do people reject the love and grace of God? Why do they refuse to receive the beautiful message of the Gospel? I’ve often wondered why people don’t want Jesus. I mean, who doesn’t want joy, peace, hope, and eternal life.
Then I read in Exodus, about the Israelites who were enslaved in Egypt. When Moses and Aaron delivered the Lord’s message: “Let my people go” (Ex 5:1), Pharaoh instead made their work even harder. Moses tried to encourage the Israelites, telling them that God would set them free from their bondage, give them their own land, and most importantly, He would be their God. The Scripture says, “They did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage” (Ex 6:9).
Why does the world reject the love and grace of God? Because they are under bondage to Satan. They have no hope because they are over-burdened by a cruel taskmaster. They don’t understand the beauty of God’s offer because their minds are numbed by discouragement from the devil. Our key verse notes that Jesus saw the hopeless people and He felt deep compassion. Not hate, not disgust, not judgement. He felt the weight of their bondage and it broke His heart.
Maybe – just a thought here – but maybe Jesus is showing us the better way to reach the lost world. Maybe compassion rather than pointing fingers is the way to lead people to Christ. I’m not talking about the world’s humanitarian efforts to ease suffering. I talking about the love of God that cares about the body and the eternal soul. The lost world is under bondage. Christian compassion can loosen their chains so God’s mercy can set them free. Will you be the conduit of His love to someone today?
Holy Father, the world is in bondage to Your enemy and they cannot even envision freedom. Satan continually tells them how helpless they are and how hopeless their situation is. Let me be Your hand and voice of compassion. Use me to open hearts to the possibility of a life without chains. It was Your compassion that saved me, let me share that compassion so others might be saved too. Amen.
Deeper Roots 
As in the days of old, so is it in our own day. The Bible NEVER changes its TRUTH, but it WILL change a person’s nature. Human nature doesn’t seem to change UNTIL the Holy Spirit and the Living Word gets a hold of that nature! How do we make it possible for the Word to pierce that armor of Human Nature? By what you just posted! Love and compassion for the eternal well-being of another. They may not like us today and may call us names, but if they eventually LISTEN to the Word the Holy Spirit can finish the work!! Amen and Amen!
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Beautifully said Roland! One person with the compassion of Christ can turn the world up-side down!
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