Compassion For the Crowds
Dear Friends,
I have just emerged from a busy season of ministry. I have had the privilege of serving several people who found themselves in places of sadness, confusion, life transitions and even death. It has been a real honor and privilege to try and represent Jesus to these friends in these moments.
One of my thoughts throughout this season has been how Jesus served “the crowds” in his ministry. Jesus was laser focused on His mission. He was active in developing leaders and disciples who could continue the great work He started. He was intentional about the relationships He built and whom He invested in.
But He also had time for the crowds. The crowds, as I see it, were not the people who were being groomed for leadership. They weren’t people who Jesus demanded constant growth or greater spiritual responsibility from. The crowds were made up of people who were beaten down by the challenges of life, were desperate for hope and a healing touch, and as the verse above shows, needed compassion above all else.
And that is what Jesus gave. Compassion. And He gave it freely. And when He gave it, it made a huge difference in the lives of those He touched.
There is a huge need for compassion today. Life in Jesus day was hard, probably harder on many measures than ours is, but the reality is that sin, brokenness, and death creep into every human life at some point.
One thing I have been reminded of about compassion lately is that it takes work. Jesus was right in saying the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. To be compassionate takes time, it takes listening, it takes a lot of prayer and will strain your own emotional and spiritual resources. We all have limits in these areas. I think that is why Jesus prayed for compassion workers. Many hands make light work. Jesus understood that the crowds would always be there. But if there are too many people and not enough workers, the system breaks down. The fields cannot be tended to as needed. Too few workers, and the crowds will not be a place of service, but rather just a way to be overwhelmed.
Can I invite you to be a worker along with Jesus in the crowds? Can you be an agent of compassion somewhere? Is there someone in your world that is hurting? Can you find a way to listen, to love, to serve them? Don’t overwhelm yourself. Just find someone, like Jesus did, amongst the crowds and pray for a way to touch them.
You will find, I believe, what I have found. That Jesus is right there with you. He will give you the words, the tools, the heart that is necessary to serve in that moment.
Jesus knows how “to work a crowd”. Follow Him and find out.
Thanks for allowing me the privilege of serving my crowd in this way. Your prayers, partnership and financial support are the reason I can stand in the places I do. We are grateful for all of you.
God bless,
The Donohues
