The Key to Compassion

Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them. —Matthew 14:14

The key to having compassion is SEEING the need.  Jeremiah wrote, “Mine eye affecteth mine heart” (Lam. 3:51). Jesus “SAW the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd” (Mt. 9:36).  Jesus SAW the multitude and was moved with compassion. People need Jesus!

Are we seeing as Jesus sees?  Mike Otto said it this way in his song “Looking Through His Eyes”—

Let me see this world, dear Lord, as though,

I were looking through Your eyes,

A world of men who don’t want You, Lord,

But a world for which you died,

Let me kneel with you in the Garden,

Blur my eyes with tears of agony,

For if once, I could see this world the way You see,

I just know, I’d serve You more faithfully.

   Former Michigan State football coach Duffy Daugherty tells about a winning field goal kicked by Dave Kaiser against UCLA many years ago. The game was in Los Angeles and the field goal gave Michigan State a 17-14 victory.

As Dave Kaiser came back to the bench to meet the cheers of his teammates, Coach Daugherty said: “Nice kick, Dave.  But I noticed you didn’t watch the ball after you kicked it. How come?”

Kaiser replied, “I was watching the referee to see how he would call it. You see, I forgot my contact lenses back at the hotel. I couldn’t even see the goal posts!”

That’s our problem… We’re not seeing God’s goal posts— Multitudes in need of Jesus.  Remember, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18)