Devotion
Compassionate Shepherd
David Jacobs
The world seems more divided with each passing day. Every difference is multiplied and magnified, making it seem like we truly cannot get along with others.
In Jesus' time, people were set against one another in a similar fashion, but he chose to be the bigger person and accept all the people. In this verse, Jesus sees the masses of people that are non-believers, ones that he might not take pity on and have compassion towards, and he, of course, does what most of us would not be able to do. He can see how lost they are without a shepherd, and knows that he will never be able to lead them without help.
What Jesus does directly after this verse is telling: he tells his disciples that they need to get to work. "Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest" (Matthew 9:37-38). He knows that he will be unable to touch everyone himself in the short amount of time that he has left. He knows that humans must work together in order to make the world a better place, and we must love and trust each other in order to live a life that is godly. The people that Jesus were talking about were people that had seen and heard him and still chosen not to follow or believe, and yet he still shows them compassion.
Additionally, Jesus feels compassion and pity on the crowd for how they are living their life. They are scattered abroad, fainting, lost and without a leader. He could easily try to forget them, thinking that they are in too deep and lost with or without him, but he doesn't. I wish I could say that I acted with similar compassion with people that have starkly different views that I do, but alas, I am but a mere mortal.
Prayer
We must challenge ourselves to be more compassionate to all people, not just those that agree with us and those that we know and love. All people. Trust in the good ways of Jesus Christ, as he has trusted us to act as his disciples. Will we answer his call?
Night Prayer
Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
Inspiration
Sin will enslave us and become the master of our lives if allowed. Sin binds us in darkness, and we become submissive to our fears. Jesus is a light in the dark, and we have accepted Him as our Lord and Savior. Sin has no control over us! We have repented our sinful ways and surrendered our lives to the will of God. Serving Him replaces a life of misery with joy and peace.
Prayer
Dear God, we ask forgiveness for our transgressions. We surrender our lives to You and will serve You instead of our sinful desires. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Devotion
Are You Wise or Foolish?
Frances Taylor
Today's gospel concerns a group of bridesmaids waiting for the bridegroom to come and whether or not they will be prepared. Five are pretty sure that the bridegroom will show up when expected and so do the least they need to do and the other five decide that something may come up and want to be prepared just in case. What about ourselves? Whether you are sick or healthy today, you don't know what tomorrow brings.
I remember when my father was ill. He would enter the hospital, then somehow rally and be sent home. When this happens more than once, it is easy to be lulled into a sense of false security and believe that he would always rally. That kind of thinking can make it harder when the final day comes. My son rarely had a sick day in his life and yet was cut off while riding his motorcycle and was dead before he even had a chance to be afraid. It has always been my hope that both were wise and had lived their lives prepared to meet the ...
