Seeing What Jesus Sees

In the Bible we see many acts of Jesus’ compassion displayed toward others. In Matthew’s gospel alone we see repeated accounts of Jesus healing all kinds of diseases and afflictions (4:23; 8:5ff; 8:14-17; 14:14). He healed epileptics and paralytics (4:24; 9:1-8). He delivered those oppressed by demons, healing one who had lost his ability to speak (4:24; 8:16; 9:32-34). He cleansed lepers (8:1ff). He gave life to a girl who had died (9:23-26). He gave sight to the blind (9:27-31); and He fed those who were hungry (Mt. 15:32). With a heart filled with compassion Jesus met people’s physical needs; but even more important, He saw and met peoples’ spiritual need.

On one occasion Matthew tells us: When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (Mt. 9:36). On this particular day as Jesus was looking at the crowds He saw struggling sheep. Matthew tells us they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus also saw a spiritual harvest. Matthew recounts: Then He said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” There were crowds of people, but there was one problem: few workers! So, what was the solution to the problem? Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

I find it interesting that Jesus did not instruct His disciples to pray for the people nor did He instruct them to pray for power. After all, He knew that His disciples would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 1:8). Instead, Jesus instructed His disciples to pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. In Matthew 10 we see that those who prayed—Jesus’ disciples—were the ones that He sent out. Jesus’ disciples were an answer to their own prayers. All Christians, or Christ-followers, are Jesus’ disciples. As disciples, God’s presence and power are with us and enable us to proclaim the good news to those in need of a Savior.

As I look around, not much has changed from that day when Jesus saw the crowds. The harvest is still great. The workers are still few. So, what is the answer? As His disciples we need to see people through the eyes of Jesus. We need to pray earnestly for faithful workers, and we need to be an answer to our prayers! I’m convinced that when we begin to see people through Jesus’ eyes, we will be filled with compassion for them, and we will then share the love and shine the light of Jesus. So let’s slow down from the hustle-n-bustle of life and see what Jesus sees—a spiritual harvest all around us—and then act with compassion.