This is
one of my all-time favorite videos.
Before you read too much further, please take a minute to watch it. (if it looks like you need to buy something,
you don’t.) It does a phenomenal job of
reining in my impatience, judging attitude, and general self-centeredness.
Matthew 9:35 - When He saw the crowds, He
had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like
sheep without a shepherd.
Things to think about:
· As recently
as three days ago, I was on a plane when the guy in front of me leaned his seat
all the way back and I could barely use my laptop. I thought of all kinds of clever (and mean)
things to say to him.
o
And then I remembered this video.
I have no idea what hurts, fears, shame, guilt, etc. this guy might be
going through, but I’ll guarantee you one thing, he is going through something.
§ How do I
know? He’s BREATHING
§ Nobody gets a
pass on the challenges life throws at us.
Do you tend to show mercy or malice as an initial response?
· In Matthew,
we read that Jesus takes a different tack than me
o
He had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless
§ The Message
says it like this, ‘’when he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke.
So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd.’’
o
His heart broke when I was still lost, and I didn’t even know His
name
§ He sees us as
lost sheep in need of a shepherd
§ How does that
word picture encourage you to be more sympathetic?
How does His sacrifice on your behalf motivate you to be more generous in your attitude towards other people?
· Can you think
of a time when your attitude about someone changed when you knew more of their
story?
o
What can we do to learn more about what others are going through?
· If you would
like some of the special glasses in the video, they’re actually available!
o
Matthew 9:36 - Then He said to His disciples, “The
harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the
harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.”
