And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 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." – Matt 9:35-38 (ESV)
Some of us may not like to see people in need. It makes us uncomfortable or sorry that we ‘have it so good.’ Sometimes we despise those in need; we wonder why they don’t get themselves out of their situation. Jesus calls us to be gracious and compassionate to others. The reason: the Lord has compassion for us and He has given us grace that can never be repaid. Every laborer was someone for whom the Lord had compassion. Our thought isn’t, “Be more compassionate.” Instead our thought is, “The Lord has been so gracious to me.”
