pastor's article 03-10-24

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. (Mt 9:36)

When Jesus looked on the crowd of people there was no doubt a lot of them who didn’t believe on Him or like He did. There were religious hypocrites, pagan Greeks, idolaters, murderers, liars, thieves, fornicators and sinners of all sorts and types, but when He saw them, He was moved with compassion. Why was He not disgusted, mad, or full of anguish over what He saw? The Bible says He saw them as a people without a shepherd. They were going astray because they had no shepherd. Instead of just seeing their wrong, He saw their need; Jesus didn’t see them as just sinners, but as sheep who needed loving and leading.

My prayer is that God would allow us to see the people around us as Jesus sees them. I have a tendency to see the wrong that people do instead of the need they have to fix their wrong. I struggle with being judgmental instead of compassionate, dismissive of people’s need and potential rather than being concerned and involved. If Jesus, who was perfect, refused to judge and condemn them, who are we to judge and to condemn the people around us? Many of the wrong actions and attitudes of the world are because of the lack of love and leadership. That is the reason Jesus prays for laborers to work in the fields instead of fire to burn and clear the fields. Jesus said the fields were ripe unto harvest, not perfect and clean. As you look at the world remember this is what the field of harvest looks like, and as you look in the mirror you see what the laborers are supposed to look like. We are the laborers that the Lord was praying for God to send. Do you feel sent? If so, we need to go to work bringing in the harvest!

Pastor,
Rev. Wayne Marcus