The Compassion of the Christ
Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. - Matthew 9:35-36 (NLT)
When our Messiah looked at certain sights, those who watched him closely perceived that he was a deeply caring person. He had the biggest heart. The disciples noted His emotions. He agonized in thought and prayer for the lost -- sometimes to the point of weeping. They saw Him take time to stop for those who few would take time for. Jesus genuinely had compassion for all people.
Perhaps you know of someone who made a big impact in your life because of their heart of mercy and compassion. You may not remember every detail about the relationship, but you always remember how they made you feel. You remember they took the time to listen and care; seeing and praying for the best in you. As a result, you open up your heart for a person like that to speak into your life.
As we begin our teaching series on Outreach, we must remember that underneath a zeal to win the soul for Christ must be a passion for the soul. Without a genuine love in our hearts for the lost, all our evangelism efforts will amount to nothing. Well, first of all, without love we most likely will not attempt to share the Good News in the first place. But even if we do have a zeal for evangelism but yet lack the love of Christ, it's difficult to see real Kingdom breakthrough in their lives. It’s simply bad evangelism. They will feel more like project. And nobody wants to feel like a target of our evangelistic zeal… but everyone does want to be loved and cared for.
Jesus went around preaching the Good News of the Kingdom of God to the poor, yes. But He did so with the fullness of the love of the Father in Him. It’s a love that saw through any person, any sin, any circumstance, and saw the gold deep down inside. It’s a love that positioned Him to do good, walk in power (Acts 10:38), and speak into their lives.
As believers, let’s remember the example of Christ and contend for that in prayer for ourselves. Ask Him to give you the same heart for the lost He has. If you’re looking for your prayer life to take off, focus on that. In the meantime, take bold steps of faith and look for opportunities to practice sharing the love of Christ with the lost around you. Perhaps the Lord will open a door for you to speak into their lives the Good News of Jesus Christ.
This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace. - Colossians 1:6
[The Good News about Christ] is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes… This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. - Romans 1:16-17
Lord, break our hearts for the lost! Amen.
Photo Credit: Ibrahim Rifath (https://unsplash.com/photos/XGMtwa-zc3s)