A People of Compassion

Matthew tells us: “Jesus went to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness. When He saw the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:35-36 HCSB). How far have we drifted from this example?

We see that Jesus recognized the helplessness and hopelessness of the people out on the streets as He travelled from town to town. He recognized the heavy weight the people were under from the pressures of the government upon them and their lives. He also recognized the tremendous stress and duress the religious society had imposed upon the common people making the road to finding GOD almost impossible.

His heart was pricked with compassion. His heart was broken to see the people hurting, tired and wornout. He recognized the people needed someone who would guide and direct them with love; protecting them, overseeing them, guiding them in the light and truth.

As I look out on America today, I see such a lostness, such a hopelessness engulfing people. I see churches propagating the prosperity doctrine, lying to people about what GOD wants to give them and what He requires from them. I see men standing in pulpits today deceiving the people into believing false doctrines and lies of Satan. Where is the compassion? Where is the truth? Where is the help for the people?

So many churches have lost the path they should be walking down. Jesus went about preaching th good news of the kingdom, not lies about how rich and prosperous GOD wants you to be right now. He went about healing the sick and diseased rather than the false teachings today about gold flakes and feathers falling from the ceiling.

It’s not about the preacher or the pastor or the church today. It is all about Jesus! When we stop pointing people to the Great Shepherd and start pointing them to what they can have right now, we have eliminated the good news of the coming kingdom. It’s about the Kingdom to come. It’s about building up His kingdom rather than building one’s own little kingdom here and now. Many who have chased after the frills of this world and what they can have right now will discover the truth when they stand before Jesus on judgment day and hear Him say, “Depart from Me, I never knew you!”

CHURCH, you need to check your motives using the works of Jesus as your standard; determine your real reason for being. Are you a place of compassion reaching out and touching the hearts and lives of the people or is your church a reflection of the principles of this world? Many have bought into and are propagating the lies of the world today. The world needs a Church that will be a place of compassion, a place they can run to for safety and security from the harsh world we now live in! We, as believers, need to be a people of compassion!