(Matthew 9:35 - 38)
The Lord saw the multitudes
of mankind, and He was moved by the misery of mankind. His response
was not merely an intellectual assessment of the situation. Christ
responded as a tender Shepherd, the great Shepherd of the sheep.
*Jesus Christ was moved
with compassion for the multitudes. Many believers are only moved
with anger, contempt, or apathy toward the lost in our day. May God
help us to see them as He did!
Text Verse:
"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."
(Matthew 9:36)
1. Lost people have no Real GOALS!
"as sheep"
-Sheep are not Strong.
"For
when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."
(Romans 5:6)
-Sheep are not Smart.
"But
the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for
they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because
they are spiritually discerned."
(I Corinthians 2:14)
2. Lost people
have no Real GUIDES!
"scattered abroad"
"And
they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became
meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered."
(Ezekiel 34:5)
*Their only guides were
the Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes, and rabbis. These men were as
lost as those that they were trying to lead!
*The world is the same
today. Millions will perish worshipping the false gods of Buddhism,
Hinduism, and Islam. Many will also drift into eternal darkness believing
in some perversion of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! No wonder we read
of HIS compassion.
*Compassion =
"Genuine concern for the distress of others, coupled with a desire to alleviate
it"
*Compassion is love in
action!
1. His Compassion
on the Crowd!
"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."
(Matthew 9:36)
2. His Compassion
on the City!
"O
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them
which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children
together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye
would not!"
(Matthew 23:37)
3. His Compassion
from the Cross!
"Then
said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
And they parted his raiment, and cast lots."
(Luke 23:34)
*Consider some Biblical
causes for Compassion:
I. The LOST CONDITION of the SINNER!
A. Dead in Sin
"AND
you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins"
(Ephesians 2:1)
B. Deceived by Satan
"But
if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the
god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest
the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should
shine unto them."
(II Corinthians 4:3 - 4)
C. Destined for Suffering
"Enter
ye in at the straight gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the
way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat"
(Matthew 7:13)
II.
The LOVE COMMENDED by the SAVIOUR!
A. His Love is Evident!
"But
God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us."
(Romans 5:8)
B. His Love is Eternal!
"The
LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with
an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee."
(Jeremiah 31:3)
C. His Love is Extended!
"For
God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
(John 3:16)
III.
The LORD's COMMISSION of the SAINTS!
A. A Commission to love Strangers
(Hebrews 13:1 - 2)
B. A Commission to love Saints
(John 13:34 - 35)
C. A Commission to love Sinners
(Jude 21 - 23)
*Our compassion should
run as deep as our convictions run high!