Scripture reveals to us not only the sayings of Jesus, but also the feelings of Jesus. This is important because as we are to follow the sayings of Jesus, we also ought to feel the way Jesus did in certain situations. For example, we ought to have compassion on others because the Lord has had compassion on us (cf. Matthew 18:33). It has been said, "The goal of Christianity is not to get people to act like Jesus, but to think like Jesus." The apostle Paul wrote, Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5 NKJV). If we think like him, then the way we act will be like him.
In the gospel accounts of Jesus' life, we read of his feelings of compassion toward others and his benevolent response to help them. When God created man, he created them with the potential to love, as he is loving. But that also gave man the freedom to not love because love can never be forced. Love can grow cold because of sin (Matthew 24:12). In these last days, many are "unloving" (2 Timothy 3:1,3), as a result of their own free choice.
But since Jesus demonstrated love and compassion for others, we ought to follow his example (cf. 1 Peter 2:21). We read of a time in Jesus' sojourn where it would have been easy to ignore other people or to promptly send them away. Jesus was taking his disciples to a place where they could rest, but the multitude showed up at their resting place before they got there. Mark records, And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things (Mark 6:34). What prompted this feeling of compassion? "Because they were like sheep not having a shepherd." With that in mind, he felt for them and wanted to help them.
When sheep are without a shepherd in the open wilderness, they are subject to danger from predators or they could get lost and die from the elements. When people have no shepherd, that is, a spiritual guide, they also are subject to eternal danger and could die in their sins. So in this situation, Jesus the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4), "began to teach them many things." They were without a shepherd because the Jewish religious leaders failed in their obligation to teach them the word of God. This would result in condemnation for those leaders, but also for those people (sheep) who sinned in ignorance (cf. Acts 17:30).
Do we have this same feeling of compassion for those outside of Christ, who will die in their sins if not taught the truth? Such a thought ought to spur us to action. Such thinking would be thinking like Jesus. He could not ignore or turn these people away, because they were in eternal danger. Love demands a response. Who in your circle of friends needs someone to guide him, as did the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:31)? As a Christian, a disciple of Christ, what should you do about it?
Brotherly, Jamie
