Last week Pastor Dan challenged us to consider if we are apathetic, ignorant or afraid when it comes to our response toward those outside the church. This week the challenge is similar, but the perspective is “compassion”. Jesus went out of his way to demonstrate ‘how’ to have compassion. Are we paying attention or just drifting along? Are we listening to what ‘the crowd’ is saying?
Jesus prepares his disciples before sending them out into mission. Jesus models the passion we need to overcome our apathy toward the people who are the object of his mission.
Matt.9:36 “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
How Jesus responds to the crowds –
- What he sees: Curious_ but
Dis-connected_ from God
…when he saw the crowds
– came from all over the region to follow him (Mat 4.24)
– astonished at this teaching (Mat 7.28)
– marveled at his miracles (Mt 9.33)
– yet not attached to Jesus in any significant way
– goal of Jesus’ evangelistic ministry – that curious crowds become committed disciples
- What he understands: Abused_and
Abandoned_ by religious leaders
…because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
– feeding themselves instead of the sheep (Ezek 34)
– have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the wounded, sought for the lost (Ezek)
– preach but do not practice (Mat 23)
– lay heavy burdens but don’t lift a finger to help (Mat 23)
What he feels: Warm Compassion_ resulting in Practical Relief_.
…he had compassion on them…
– Splanchnizomai – to be moved in one’s bowels, the heart, seat of tender affection to Jews; “his heart went out to them”
– Also responds in practical ways – heals the sick, gives them something to eat, seeks for the lost ones; as here – he sends out disciples into the harvest
– Because the religious leaders – the human shepherds – failed to tend the sheep, God comes – Jesus comes – as the good shepherd to tend his flock
– Jesus says “Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest…for my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Mat 11.28-30)
How we should respond to the crowds
Recognize their Behavior_.
– going from church to church following the latest fad, movement, teacher – disconnected
– experimenting with other religions or spiritual experiences – Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, New Age beliefs, the occult
– reading about other religions – books, magazines, internet
– writing or blogging about alternative religious experiences or thinking, including agnosticism, atheism.
Understand their Thinking_.
– Spend time with them to understand their real needs – not just “they don’t know Jesus”- like Jesus did:
Matthew’s friends in his home; Zacchaeus in his home; woman at the well; those he stopped along the road esp for healing
– Discover their objections – hypocrites in the church, religious leaders who have fallen or abused their power and other people, theological issues like the problem of evil, personal disappointments like loss of a loved one at young age
– Jesus did this with both Mary and Martha when Lazarus died; Paul did this with the philosophers on Mars Hill – he spoke their language in order to address their theological issue (Acts 17.2
Care Concretely_.
– As Jesus did – feeding, healing, befriending according to their need
– Two parables as examples of ways to care concretely –
Help_ the Helpless_.
– Good Samaritan (Lk 10.33-35) – A man fell among robbers and was beaten, lay beside the road. Religious leaders from his own nation passed him by, “but a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him…bound up his wounds…set him own his own animal…brought him to an inn, and took care of him.”
Welcome_ the Wayward_, or Forgive_ the Fallen_.
– Prodigal Son or Forgiving Father (Lk 15.15.20ff) The son had squandered his inheritance in loose living and decided to return to his father, “And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him and brought him new clothing and celebrated his home-coming.
Goal of our ministry, like Jesus’:
– that curious crowds become committed disciples
– so we must repent of our apathy and put on Christ’s heart of compassion for them