OCTOBER 29, 2012
Making
A Difference
Read: Matthew 9:27-38
[Jesus]
was moved with compassion for them. —Matthew 9:36
Elizabeth’s
story was moving, to say the least. Following a terribly
humiliating experience
in Massachusetts, she caught a bus to New
Jersey to escape her embarrassment.
Weeping uncontrollably, she
hardly noticed that the bus had made a stop along
the way. A
passenger sitting behind her, a total stranger, began making his
way
off the bus when he suddenly stopped, turned, and walked
back to Elizabeth. He
saw her tears and handed her his Bible, saying
that he thought she might need
it. He was right. But not only did she
need the Bible, she needed the Christ it
speaks of. Elizabeth received
Him as a result of this simple act of compassion
by a stranger who
gave a gift.
Jesus
is our example of compassion. In Matthew 9, we read, “When
He saw the
multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them,
because they were weary and
scattered, like sheep having no shepherd”
(v.36). Not only did our Lord notice
the pain and hurt of broken people,
He responded to it by challenging His
followers to pray for the Father to
send out workers to respond to the hurts
and needs of this dying world
(v.38).
As
we follow Christ’s example, a heart of compassion for shepherdless
people can
compel us to make a difference in the lives of others.
Father, open my eyes to see the hurts and
struggles of others. Then open my heart to respond to
them, so that through me they may see You and
Your love. Amen.
A world in despair needs Christians who care.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
