Matthew 9 - What about those people that are really out to cause us hassle.

Matthew 9:35-38

³⁵ Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

As I read to the end of chapter 9 it becomes apparent that the passage shows compassion in its truest form. It was interesting to read Spurgeon’s thoughts on the original Greek word that was used to refer to the compassion that Jesus showed to those around him. Spurgeon writes that “The original word is a very remarkable one. It is not found in classic Greek. It is not found in the Septuagint. The fact is, it was a word coined by the evangelists themselves. They did not find one in the whole Greek language that suited their purpose, and therefore they had to make one.” The compassion Jesus had for those around him couldn’t be described by any available language so they made a word up. This is pastoral care to its extreme, what a lesson for me as I try to follow in the footsteps of a Saviour who lived out love beyond all measure.

The practical implications of this lesson become even more of a challenge when you take this passage in its context. Jesus knew what was coming next, he knew that the religious leaders he would come into contact with would put him to death, Jesus had also been living and journeying through a land that was filled with people who treated him unfairly, criticizing both his person and his work, yet he never stops following the plan his Father has for him, quite the opposite actually, he shows so much love that his disciples have to come up with a new word to express the strength of his actions.

It makes me think of my reaction when people get on my back, sometimes I think some people are just out to cause us hassle and harm, but no matter what their intentions, our intentions must shadow and show the example we have been left by Jesus.

A great man once said, “I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

What’s more we have just witnessed, that, not only did Jesus say it, he lived it. I pray that today I can live this teaching out in my life, I pray for lots of grace because, especially when it comes to showing this type of compassion I will need it.