JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Connection, today’s Encounter with Jesus examines His compassion.

The evidence of His compassion can be seen in the way He ministered to a crowd that followed Him.

In Luke 9, Jesus was taking His disciples to a place of retreat after a time of ministry. But, according to verse 11, the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.

The Gospel of Mark describes the same event this way: “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.”

Compassion is the quality that welcomes people with God’s love. Compassion allows for flexibility to change plans in order to meet people at their point of need. Compassion also moves us to be a voice of hope and healing for those who need the grace of God.

A daily connection with Christ fills us with compassion for people who need hope and direction.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com