Compassion for the Crowds
Yesterday, Dr. Allan Karr of Ethne Global Services preached in our Chapel Service. His text is Matthew 9:35-38. He spoke about compassion and the reasons for it.
As usual, while listening, I am doing my outlining and my analysis of the text. I came up with a different structure. I see the theme as focusing on the deeds and words of Jesus. I find this relevant in an age where Christianity (at least the orthodox version of it) is increasingly being silenced in mainstream discussion, particularly in the academe.
Of course, intellectuals do not say it openly. They have a nice way of circumventing the real issue. No one will directly say that the actions and words of Jesus found in the New Testament are being taken for granted. At least, lip service is given to them.
Taking the obvious message of the narrative, what Jesus did and said could serve as a mirror to reflect our actions and words.
Jesus went through all the towns and villages
This is the first action that Jesus did based on the text. What did he do in those towns and villages? Matthew said that Jesus taught in the synagogues, "preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness" (verse 35). Reading the statement, one can deduce that Jesus is a teacher, a preacher, and a faith healer. However, the gospel accounts tell us that He is more than all of these.
My concern is more on the places where Jesus will go these days. Will he reach out to those nations and tribes within our urban centers? How about the digital spaces? Will he also do his ministry of teaching, preaching, and healing in cyberspace? In what form will this ministry be implemented? Or will he abandon these post-modern spaces and stick to face-to-face contact?
Of course, physically, Jesus is no longer with us, so the above thoughts could just be a product of speculation. Nevertheless, before his ascension, he promised his disciples that he would be with us until the end of the age. And he accomplished it by sending the Holy Spirit who is now dwelling in the Bride of Christ, which is the church.
Jesus saw the crowds.
This is the second action of Jesus. Seeing is not passive on Jesus' part. By seeing the crowd, he felt something. I think this is where the message of Dr. Karr comes into the picture. Jesus felt compassion. Why? Because he saw the people as "harassed, helpless, and like a sheep without a shepherd" (verse 36).
During that time, Israel had no shortage of leaders. They had priests, Levites, Pharisees, and scribes. And yet, despite the presence of those leaders, Jesus saw the crowds as harassed, helpless, and without a shepherd. This tells us that those leaders were not doing what they were supposed to do.
In our time, we also do not have scarcity in leadership. We have all types of leaders in all fields of life. However, the question is, are these leaders doing what they are supposed to do? To help, comfort, and lead people to the right path of life? Or is Jesus' description of them elsewhere more appropriate describing these leaders as "blind guides" that both the leaders and their followers will fall into a pit (Matthew 15:14)? If this is the case, these leaders are the ones harassing those whom they are supposed to serve. As such, the people are helpless and living a life without meaning and direction. I find this description not only true to the spiritual condition of many but also their economic and financial situation.
Jesus talked about a harvest.
What did Jesus say after seeing the crowd? He talked about the harvest as plentiful. However, the problem is the workers are few. Nevertheless, Jesus provided the solution to the scarcity of workers - to ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers. The question remains, is the church listening?
Humanity's redemption lies in the words and deeds of Jesus. That's what the Gospel tells us. The challenges for those who claim to be his followers are as follows:
Are we going where the Spirit of God goes?
Do we share Jesus' vision? Or is the lack of vision the reason why we don't have compassion for the lost?
Are we listening to his words about the harvest? Or do we only hear words of defeat and discouragement?
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