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WANTED: DISCIPLES WITH COMPASSION
Rod Shimabukuro[35]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. [36]When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. [37]Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; [38]therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38
Jesus is about to commission His disciples 2 by 2, giving them authority to preach the Gospel, and heal the broken, sick, possessed. The disciples, having been side by side with Jesus, saw the preceding miracles Jesus performed. They heard Jesus guide, teach, command and heal people.
But I suppose that this commissioning came with the visible signs of Jesus’ compassion. To me, verses 35-38 summarize what the disciple’s saw first hand. That is, Jesus speaking to, calling out, confronting and making Himself available to ALL THE PEOPLE in His path in need. And being side by side with Jesus, I think the compassion of Jesus must have been something the disciples caught.
- Can compassion be taught? Or is it more caught?
I personally hear the Lord calling me to be made more aware that COMPASSION will drive me to Go - Preach the Gospel, experience hardships, rejection, persecution, ridicule...! The Compassion of God will help keep me focused to fulfill my God mission - to make disciples...one heart, one life at a time!
I hear the Lord saying: “Rod, I want you to be a disciple filled with compassion. You are not going to fulfill a mission - you are going to live out compassion. I don’t want this mission to be a task you calendar as your quote unquote - God Assignment. I want you, your heart to be filled with My love, compassion, grace, kindness - to preach the Gospel, heal the sick. You are not just a ”laborer“ of the harvest. You are a laborer moved and filled with My Love and Compassion, in the harvest.”
- Wanted! Disciples with Compassion! Will you say yes?
Lord - Help me not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Thank You for your intimate, specific care for the sparrows and the hair on my head - and for calling me to Fear not - showing me that I am more valuable than many sparrows! (Matthew 10:28-3) I love You O Great and Mighty and Compassionate Father!
