We encounter people every day, but we do not always see what they are carrying. Guest speaker Nicole Bustos shows how Jesus looks beyond someone's behavior to recognize their need for Him — seeing the person, sharing His compassion, and responding to the need. When we pray by name and take one practical step, God uses what He's already given us to bring His love into people's lives.
Matthew 9:35-36; Ezekiel 34:4-6; Ezekiel 34:11-16; Colossians 3:12; Matthew 9:37-38; Matthew 10:5-8
Jesus sees beyond people's behavior to the need they are carrying, He is moved with compassion for them, and He sends us to respond — so see the person, share His compassion, and use what He's giving you to bring Him into their lives.
Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of Galilee, teaching, proclaiming the Kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and illness. When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He saw their condition, not simply a crowd or another demand. Ezekiel 34 warns that without a shepherd, sheep are scattered, weak, sick, injured, and easy prey — yet no one goes to search for them. We are the hands and feet and voice of Jesus to those people. So ask yourself: are you seeing beyond what someone is saying or wearing? When someone looks a certain way we can guard ourselves or walk the other way, but Jesus wants us to see the people around us and share His love with them.
The Greek verb splagchnizomai describes deep, inward compassion — a gut-level response to someone's suffering. Jesus is personally moved by their condition, so He acts, and His compassion leads to practical ministry: teaching, proclaiming good news, and healing. The moment we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior is the moment we choose to worship and serve our King by loving Him and loving people. Colossians 3:12 says since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Getting compassion for others starts with a simple prayer — Jesus, help me care about this person the way You do — then take practical steps: listening, learning someone's name, or making time for a need we would normally overlook.
Jesus moves the disciples from observing the crowd to praying for workers: the harvest is great, but the workers are few, so pray to the Lord of the harvest to send more workers into His fields. He starts by telling them to look around — there is so much work, we need help, pray for people to step up. Then He tells them point blank: you are the workers. Imagine going from praying for God to send provision and help only to find out that Jesus was answering your prayer with you. In Matthew 10 He sends the twelve only to the lost sheep of Israel to announce the Kingdom, heal the sick, raise the dead, cure leprosy, cast out demons — and give as freely as you have received. Ezekiel 34:11-16 is the promise behind it: the Lord Himself will search, rescue, feed, bandage, and strengthen His sheep, and we get to serve Jesus by bringing Him into the lives around us doing what He said He will do.
Think about who you have been overlooking that Jesus wants you to notice. Pray for one person by name, then take one practical step: listen, offer help, pray with them, or invite them to church and lunch afterwards. Before labeling someone difficult, consider what pain, confusion, or loneliness they may be carrying — understanding does not excuse harmful behavior, but it changes how you approach them.
Spend the week reflecting on this message with daily scripture readings, reflections, and prayers. Each day builds on the sermon and helps you apply biblical wisdom to your life.
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