REACH OUT

Matthew 9:36–38 KJV 1900

36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Compassion

‎ In scriptural usage compassion is always both a feeling and the appropriate action based on that feeling.

‎1jn3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 

‎In the NT, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, exactly reflected the Father’s compassion in his dealings with a fallen humanity. Jesus healed diseases and infirmities, cast out spirits, and empowered others and sent them out to do likewise. He fed hungry people and, in response to a mother’s grief, raised her only son from the dead. Following Jesus’ example, Christians are to show compassion in dealing with others. Jesus set forth the example in the parables of the good Samaritan, who had compassion on a wounded traveler (), and the prodigal son, whose father had compassion on him when he returned home ().

‎The apostle Paul listed a number of qualities that the Colossian church “as God’s chosen ones” was to incorporate; the first was compassion (). It was to be an integral part of the concept of Christian community. The Greek word means literally “to be moved in one’s bowels.” The term thus pointed to the very core of one’s inner feelings, much as the term “heart” does today. One’s intense inner feelings should always lead to outward compassionate acts of mercy and kindness.

‎A man fell in a ditch.

‎Realist: “That is a ditch.”

‎Optimist: “Things will get better.”

‎Pessimist: “Things will get worse.”

‎Christian Scientist: “You only think you are in a ditch.”

‎Newspaper reporter: “I’ll pay you for an exclusive story about life in the ditch.”

‎City official: “Did you get a permit for your ditch life?”

‎Mathematician: “I’ll calculate the length and depth and width of the ditch.”

‎Preacher: “I see three things about the ditch that are noteworthy.”

‎IRS agent: “Have you paid your taxes for the ditch?”

‎A Man: “Give me your hand.” (His name was Jesus.)

HE HAD COMPASSION BECAUSE THEY FAINTED

‎FAINT as used in KJ, means to grow weak, whether in body or in spirit. To lose courage is the basic idea. The word refers to the fainthearted and dispirited more often than to the feeble or exhausted. To give up or to give out..

‎RSV translates: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” “Harassed” is the meaning of the Greek word in the ancient manuscripts “Helpless” translates a Greek participle which means literally “lying down.”

Scattered abroad

Mat13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

(KJV 1900) 

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 

(cross) the compassion of Christ (REACHING OUT)

(KJV 1900) 

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 

(KJV 1900) 

8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 

COMPASSION

(KJV 1900) 

37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.