I’m working through a reading plan where you read the New Testament in a year and right now I’m reading through the Gospels. One thing that has jumped off the pages to me lately is how many times you see the phrase “Jesus had compassion” for the people around him. Here are just a few examples:

• Matthew 9:36 – Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.
• Matthew 14:14 – When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd and felt compassion for them and healed their sick.
• Matthew 20:34 – Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.
• Mark 6:34 – When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheet without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things.
• Mark 8:2 – “I feel compassion for the people because they have remained with Me now three days have nothing to eat.”

Our mission this week is to try and see the people around us through the lens of compassion that Jesus saw people. In a world full of division, differing opinions and arguments, what an impact compassion can truly make!

Photo credit: Matt Collamer via Unsplash.com