Compassion for the Lost in This World

by Doy Moyer

With so much turmoil in the world, so much chaos and confusion, we should be reminded of how disciples should think of and respond to the world.

This passage in Matthew 9:36-38 captures a very important principle.

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’”

Notice what we see here:

The World Is Helpless

The world is harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. The problem is that they don’t know it. Yet this is the very reason Jesus came to die:

"All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:6)

Jesus seeks the lost sheep, even if it is one (cf. Luke 15:1-7). These are the same ones who would persecute and oppose Christ. He never strayed from His mission to seek and save the lost. Neither should we.

Jesus Had Compassion

Jesus had compassion for them. That did not mean He ignored their sin or failed to address the problem. He took that head on in His death. It’s easy to see people as our enemies and then act in ways that create more harm and division. What if, instead, we had compassion for lost sheep and doubled down on our mission? Call out sin, but don’t leave that hanging. If you talk about the sin, talk about God’s answer to the problem. Otherwise, we become complainers who present no solution.

Jesus Challenges His Disciples

Upon identifying the sheep and having this compassion, Jesus challenged His disciples. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. The question is, do we see ourselves as laborers in the harvest? Are we taking the gospel to the lost sheep who need the Lord’s compassion?

Pray

Pray that God send laborers. Even more, pray that we answer the call to labor in the harvest. This makes me think of Isaiah’s response to God’s call. After seeing the glory of God, recognizing his own sin and the sin of those around him, and receiving God’s forgiveness, Isaiah was ready to answer. “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” God asked. Then I said, responded Isaiah, 'Here I am! Send me.'”

A lost and helpless world. Like sheep without a shepherd. A need for compassion. A challenge to enter the harvest as laborers. The prayer to respond to God’s call.

Would this not change how we approach the world?