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- Oct 26, 2007
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Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36
As Jesus traveled, He encountered people in the synagogues who were sick diseased, distressed (because of the yoke the Pharisees had placed on them), and helpless—wandering like sheep without a shepherd. The religious leaders of the day ought to have been guiding them properly but instead, they were caught up in rules and regulations as a means for achieving righteousness. When Jesus saw that, He felt compassion for the people.
Does this describe the way you feel as you look around at work or in your personal life? Do you feel compassion for those who are trapped in religion rather than being in a relationship with Christ? Most of those people probably grew up in faith traditions that taught them that if their good deeds outweighed their bad deeds, then God would accept them.
In essence, they grew up without true Christian leadership, so they embraced the false doctrine, believing heaven could be earned. Have compassion on them. Unless you grew up in a Christian household, you were once just like them.
As you exhibit compassion toward them, you might get an opportunity to present the true Gospel of mercy and grace—one that no man can earn.
As Jesus traveled, He encountered people in the synagogues who were sick diseased, distressed (because of the yoke the Pharisees had placed on them), and helpless—wandering like sheep without a shepherd. The religious leaders of the day ought to have been guiding them properly but instead, they were caught up in rules and regulations as a means for achieving righteousness. When Jesus saw that, He felt compassion for the people.
Does this describe the way you feel as you look around at work or in your personal life? Do you feel compassion for those who are trapped in religion rather than being in a relationship with Christ? Most of those people probably grew up in faith traditions that taught them that if their good deeds outweighed their bad deeds, then God would accept them.
In essence, they grew up without true Christian leadership, so they embraced the false doctrine, believing heaven could be earned. Have compassion on them. Unless you grew up in a Christian household, you were once just like them.
As you exhibit compassion toward them, you might get an opportunity to present the true Gospel of mercy and grace—one that no man can earn.
