Emphasize Jesus' compassion for the lost and the urgency for His followers to actively participate in reaching out to them, sharing the good news of the kingdom, and demonstrating God's love and grace.
Good morning, my dear friends and family! Today, we gather here with expectant hearts, ready to dive into the Word of God and hear what He has to say to each one of us. We will be exploring a passage of Scripture that reveals the loving heart of Jesus and His deep compassion for the lost. This passage also reminds us of our vital role as His followers to join in the work of reaching out to those who have yet to experience the life-changing love and grace of our Savior.
In the words Charles Spurgeon, "If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for."
As we delve into the idea of Jesus having compassion for the lost and hurt, we will discover that Jesus's compassion is not just an abstract concept, but a powerful force that drives His ministry and should drive ours as well.
First, let us consider the context in which Jesus's compassion is displayed. In Matthew 9:35, we read that Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness. This verse paints a picture of Jesus tirelessly traveling from place to place, ministering to the needs of the people He encountered.
It is important to note that Jesus did not wait for people to come to Him; rather, He actively sought them out, going to where they were and meeting them in their circumstances.
In verse 36, we see the reason behind Jesus's tireless ministry: "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." The Greek word for compassion used here is "splagchnizomai," which refers to a deep, gut-wrenching emotion that moves a person to action. Jesus's compassion was not just a feeling of pity or sympathy; it was a powerful force that compelled Him to act on behalf of those who were suffering.
This compassion stemmed from Jesus's recognition of the people's desperate condition. They were described as "harassed and helpless," a vivid image of their spiritual state. They were like sheep without a shepherd, vulnerable to the attacks of predators and prone to wander off and become lost. Jesus saw their need for guidance, protection, and care, and His heart was moved with compassion for them.
It is also important to note that Jesus's compassion extended to all people, regardless of their social status, ethnicity, or religious background. In His ministry, Jesus reached out to the poor, the sick, the outcasts, and the sinners – those who were often overlooked or rejected by society. He demonstrated that no one is beyond the reach of God's love and grace, and that everyone is worthy of compassion and care.
If we are to follow in the footsteps of our Savior, we too must be moved with compassion for those who are lost and in need of the life-changing message of the gospel. This means that we must be willing to go out of our way to reach out to others, even when it is inconvenient or uncomfortable for us.
Furthermore, we must recognize that our compassion for the lost must be more than just a feeling; it must be a force that drives us to action. We must be willing to invest our time, energy, and resources in the work of reaching out to those who need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. This may involve sharing our faith with friends, family members, and coworkers, or it may involve participating in local or global missions efforts to reach those who have yet to hear the gospel.
In addition, we must remember that our compassion for the lost must extend to all people, regardless of their background or circumstances. We must be willing to reach out to those who are different from us, to those who may be considered "unreachable" by the world's standards. As we do so, we will be following in the footsteps of our compassionate Savior, who came to seek and save the lost, no matter who they were or where they came from.
We must also recognize the urgency of the task before us. In verse 37, Jesus tells His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few." This statement underscores the fact that there are countless people who are in need of the life-changing message of the gospel, but there are far too few workers who are willing to go out and share that message with them.
This reality should stir our hearts and compel us to action. If we truly share Jesus's compassion for the lost, we cannot sit idly by while so many people remain in darkness and despair. We must be willing to step out in faith and join in the work of the harvest, knowing that our efforts can make an eternal difference in the lives of those who are lost.
Jesus uses the metaphor of a harvest to describe the spiritual condition of the people He encountered during His earthly ministry ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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