Identify Opportunities for Gospel Conversations
Matthew 9:36-38
Seeing the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”
In Matthew 9, the Bible tells us about a series of miracles performed by Jesus. Jesus healed a paralyzed man, a synagogue official’s daughter, a woman suffering from a hemorrhage, two blind men and a mute man who was also demon possessed. This has to be one of my favorite chapters in the Bible! These stories always move me and fill me with hope and joy.
But there is commentary about these things that occurs at the end of Matthew 9 that is important for us to see. The Bible says that Jesus, “seeing the people, He felt compassion for them.” And from there, we find the call to pray for laborers! By the way, we are those laborers. It is our job to see the people the way Jesus saw the people - with compassion.
Our culture continues to shift away from the things of God. Godlessness is all around us. Students face it in the classroom. Adults face it in the workplace. The news is filled with stories of godlessness and lawlessness. I confess, at times, I feel frustrated, annoyed and angry. But this is quite the opposite response from what Jesus displayed. Jesus felt compassion when he saw the people, and challenges us to follow Him. Sometimes in our frustration, we think, “They get what they deserve.” That is called justice, and yes, it is true. If a person rejects Jesus, then they will get exactly what they deserve. But let’s remember so would we. Were it not for the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, I, too, would get exactly what I deserve. Instead, from a heart of compassion, we should pray for them to respond to God’s mercy and grace.
Are you looking at others each day with compassion? My friend, Dr. Sam Greer, Lead Pastor of Red Bank Baptist Church in Chattanooga, TN, wrote a book titled, The Gospel Conversation: Engaging The Lost in Everyday Life. Pastor Sam says it this way, “As followers of Christ, we should be passionate about sharing the good news of the gospel. When we are changed by the gospel, we should challenge others with the gospel. When we are found by the gospel, we should find others with the gospel. When we are remade by the gospel, we should relay the gospel. When we are spared by the gospel, we should share the gospel.”
The Bible tells us that Jesus saw the people and felt compassion. He saw their needs. He understood their hurts. He knew their hearts. In fact, Psalm 116:5 tells us that compassion is part of God’s character. “Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yes, our God is compassionate.”
Now if God is our Father and we are to demonstrate the character of God in our lives, then we should also demonstrate compassion toward others. So, today I want to challenge you with some ways you can be sympathetic and compassionate toward others.
Respond vs. React. Instead of reacting to someone who is generally angry or rude, remember the saying “hurt people hurt people.” Respond with compassion by looking for ways to share the gospel with them through patience and grace in your conversations.
Forgive vs. Retaliate. On a more personal level, when someone wrongs you, sins against you, gossips about you or slanders you, show compassion through forgiveness.
Be Others-Minded vs. Self-Focused. When you go to work this week, look around at your coworkers and ask yourself, who needs to know Jesus. Then ask God to give such a blazing compassion for them, and seek out ways to connect with them to share God’s good news of salvation.
Mercy vs. Judgment. When you see someone overwhelmed with the stress of life, see them through the compassionate eyes of Jesus and be willing to extend God’s love and mercy with an understanding heart.
Awareness vs. Blindness. Pray that God will make you conscious of the people around you, wherever you are, and ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with compassion.
Instead of looking around at lost people with hearts of judgment or condemnation, and instead of not even noticing those God has brought in your pathway, ask God to open your eyes to see those that need Jesus. Instead of seeing lostness as “it is what it is,” see lostness as something we can impact. Ask God to develop in you a heart of compassion and a desire to share His life-changing message of grace and mercy.