Day 73 — Seeing People with Compassion

Day 73 · Making Christ Known · Matthew 9:35-38 (NET2)

Jesus sees more than a crowd. He recognizes people who are distressed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. His compassion leads him to tell the disciples to pray for workers. Before asking how impressive our witness might be, we can ask whether we see people as Jesus does. Prayer opens our eyes to need and makes us available for service.

Request

Lord Jesus, teach me to see people with your compassion. Amen.

Read

Matthew 9:35-38

³⁵ Then Jesus went throughout all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and sickness. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were bewildered and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. ³⁸ Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest-ready fields.”

Scripture: NET Bible, Second Edition (NET2).

Reflect

1. What does Jesus notice, and what response does he ask from his disciples?
2. Who around you might be weary or spiritually searching?

Restate

Explain how compassion can shape prayer for more workers.

Respond

Let the passage guide your prayer. Use these prompts in your own words:

• Praise: Praise Jesus, the compassionate Shepherd.
• Thanksgiving: Thank him for seeing your own need.
• Confession: Confess impatience or indifference toward people.
• Intercession: Pray for workers to bring Christ’s good news.
• Petition: Ask for eyes to notice and a heart willing to help.

Carry it into today: Learn how one person is really doing before offering advice.