"Seeing as Jesus saw, feeling as Jesus felt, doing what Jesus did!" (Matthew 9:36-38)

Our passage says, "Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest" (Matthew 9:36-38). As Christ followers, we need to see as Jesus saw and feel as Jesus felt so that we will do as Jesus did! Jesus saw the great need of lost people! Matthew says, "He felt compassion for them." This is how every Christ follower is to see those who are lost! Compassion is the feeling of sorrow caused by the suffering and misfortunes of others. Jesus felt compassion, not indifference! The Lord Jesus saw lost people as distressed. The word means, "troubled" or "vexed." It refers to the "boat load" of problems that those apart from Jesus carry! Jesus saw lost people as dispirited. The word means, "downcast" or "thrown down." It refers to the utterly helpless and forsaken condition of those who are lost in sin without the Savior! This is the condition of "sheep without a shepherd!" The lost are those who are under the hard, brutal and oppressive control of Satan! They're in serious danger and in need of being rescued! They need a Savior and His name is Jesus! They need a Shepherd and His name is Jesus! I read of a shepherd who described how sheep while laying down can get turned over on their backs and not be able to get up by themselves again. These sheep are called "cast" or "cast down" sheep! These sheep flail at the air with their legs, but they can't get back on their feet WITHOUT THE HELP OF THE SHEPHERD! Left in this condition, helpless and vulnerable to their enemies, they will perish very soon! What a picture of sinners apart from the Good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ! This is why we must share the gospel. These words are designed to motivate us to see lost people the way Jesus saw them and share the gospel with them! Every Christ follower should be looking for opportunities to share with the lost how they can have their sins forgiven and come under the awesome care and management of the Great Shepherd, Christ Jesus. Your move. Be encouraged!