Fast Day 24: Compassion

When Jesus felt compassion for the crowds, He knew the specific distress, oppression and burdens that each person was experiencing. He wanted to free them from all these things!

Seeing the crowds, Jesus felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9: 36

The Lord of the Universe loves us in tangible ways!
He binds our wounds (Psalms 147:3).
He teaches us to walk and takes us in His arms (Hosea 11:3).
He lifts our yoke, bends down and feeds us (Hosea 11:4).
He rejoices over us with singing (Zephaniah 3:17).
He gives us a shield of favor (Psalms 5:12).
His folded wings are a refuge (Psalms 36:7).
He satisfies our thirst and hunger (Psalms 107:9).
He adopted us. We are His children (Ephesians 1:5 and 1 John 3:1).
He demonstrated His love when we were still sinners (Romans 5:8).
Our troubles don’t drive Him away (Romans 8:35).

He is our Lord Shepherd and He cares for His sheep, for everyone in the crowd. Stand by His side, and also look at the crowds. As we fast and pray, we take time in our day to connect with Him and feel His heart for us and His heart for them in a more profound way.

Some of His sheep are battered and in bondage, physically and emotionally. Some just need a little helping hand. Some need help to be the parent they want to be. Many have never experienced forgiveness from others, only blame and finger-pointing. They may not be pleasant people to be around, bleating and mocking and lying their way through life. But they (and we) need to know they are still His children and as we show off the respect and love that God shows towards them, not judging them as so many do, that will birth something new in them.

Fasting and prayer can lead us to experience more compassion in our daily life and free us from our own concerns, becoming His shepherds.

In what ways might you feel His same compassion for the sheep and desire to shepherd?

Who do you see in the crowd that God might want you to shepherd and show off God’s love to?

Holy Shepherd, Your compassion for me is unimaginable and unending. I can only love because You have first loved me, so well and for so long. Show me who in the crowd needs what You have given me. I trust You to arrange that meeting in Your timing. Meanwhile, I pray and love. Amen.