Today’s reflections are by Becky Harcourt.

      The Compassion of Jesus.

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.  Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38

As Jesus travelled through the towns and villages, He encountered the effects of darkness on society as a whole and on individuals’ lives. The passage tells us in verse 36 that He had compassion on the crowds ‘…because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.’

Those who were meant to be spiritual leaders were not providing the help and direction that God had intended, and as a result, people were living under both physical and spiritual oppression.

Jesus encountered great need everywhere He went, but instead of being overwhelmed by the desperateness of the situation, Jesus saw a harvest field. The challenges were, to Him, an opportunity for people to experience God’s love and kingdom.

He knew He had the answer to the needs that were all around Him.

How do you respond to needs in the world today? Are you overwhelmed by the problems and issues in society as a whole as well as in individuals’ lives, or are you able, like Jesus, to see the challenges as opportunities?

Those of us who know Jesus have the answer the world is seeking. Let’s pray that we will have compassion, as Jesus did, when he saw the need surrounding him. The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

Lord of the Harvest, I ask that You would send workers into the harvest field. Help me to respond when, and to where, You send me. Amen

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Let your light shine. Matthew 5 verse 14-16

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:14-16

Jesus is The True Light of the world.