Upper Loft Meditation - Matthew 9

“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a sheperd.” - Matthew 9:35-36

As one of his followers, what does it mean to be more like Jesus? Here Jesus is going everywhere teaching, preaching, and healing. He is doing what he was called to do. Matthew highlights here, not a great sermon or a miracle, but Jesus reaction to the people around him.

In the midst of his calling, Jesus becomes keenly aware of the needs and suffering of those around him. This is not just a mental exercise; Jesus is physically and emotionally moved with compassion. He is gripped by the condition of the masses.

There are three descriptives of what Jesus saw:

1. “harassed” - Literally exhausted, weak, and tired. As one may say, “I have tried everything, and I have nothing.” Jesus sees through the facade.
2. “helpless” - Literally to fall to the groud in fatigue and hungar.
3. “sheperdless sheep” - This is both a reference to their vulnerability as sheep and to the Old Testament use of the term (i.e. Jeremiah 23) referring to the need for leadership and care of God’s people.

In the midst of your calling, what do you see as you observe the people around you? Are you moved with compassion or are you just moving on through?

Read the Spanish version of this meditation.