We are told that Jesus had been going “through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and illness.” (Matthew 9:35) Use your imagination to see the crowd following Jesus as a result of his ministry. Watch it getting bigger and bigger—probably growing out of hand!
As Jesus looks out on these people with great compassion, he sees not only Jews—God’s “treasured possession”, members of God’s “kingdom of priests”, God’s “holy nation” (Exodus 19:5-6)—but also people from many surrounding nations responding to his message and miracles.
Imagine their look of harassment (bother and distress) and their feelings of helplessness. He sees
their destruction and disease caused by evil. Their aimless wandering without answers and without good leadership. He notices their hands and hearts reaching out to him. He feels concern and kindness towards them. He wants to help.
In that moment, Jesus, knowing that he had been sent by the Father to save and shepherd all these people, makes a plan. This plan grows from his heart of compassion.
Our world has not changed. If anything, things have become far worse! If, in our imaginations, we can see Jesus looking down the ages at us, he is looking at our broken world and its desperate people today. Seeing you and me in our present world situation. And he has the same feelings about us!
Reflect honestly today on what you see when you look around you
in the world, all of God’s creation, among all people of the world, as well as God’s chosen and consecrated people in the church. How are things going?
How about in your own life and Christian community? How desperately we still need our Saviour and Shepherd-leader!
