When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were
harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Crowds of people without guidance! No spiritual direction!
I wonder how many in the crowd that day would have agreed with Jesus’ assessment of them. Not many I suspect.
Don’t most of us think we are quite capable of directing our own lives, thank you very much! We are in control. We know what we are doing!
Of course, very often things don’t seem to be working out very well for us. That’s ok. We can usually manage to find an outside explanation for that.
Interesting isn’t it?
Like men drivers! We are never really lost. We may have gone 100 miles in the wrong direction, but somehow it’s not our fault! We had a poor navigator beside us in the front seat! Sorry ladies.
Of course, we’re never at a loss for direction if we have a GPS. The receiver in the car simply picks up the satellite signal and we know where we are and can easily navigate anywhere we want to go.
You already know where I’m going with all of this. It’s about our need for a spiritual GPS to direct our lives.
Of course, that's our Teacher – the very one who makes the judgment about us that says we’re all lost without Him.
Are we picking up His signals?
They were “harassed” and “helpless”
ReplyDeleteHarassed – evidently evil spirits were possessing many. Sickness and diseases were abundant. Without modern medicine, many small seemingly harmless illnesses today were life threatening. As well, they were being taught be Pharisees and Teachers of the Law – who Jesus repeaqtedly called hypocties who “Honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.” (Mt 15:8-9)
Helpless – Not only did they not have modern medicine to help with their physical ailments, their “religious” teachings were making them worse and not better “They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.” (Mt 23:4) and “You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.” (Mt 23:15)
They were harassed by physical and spiritual ailments – and they were helpless because the ones supposed to be helping them spiritually were not helping, but making things worse.
Which for us who teach brings caution. What are we teaching? How are we teaching? Do we mimick The Teacher? Jesus the Christ, God’s One and Only Son? Or are we teaching our own point of views, and traditions of men? Are we bearing one another’s burdens? Or are we tying up heavy loads?
Jesus said, “Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Mt 11:28-30)
Humbling thoughts. Oh to be like The Teacher!
Moses said to the Lord, “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so that I may know You and continue to find favor with You. Remember that this nation is Your people.” (Ex 33:13)
A prayer of David:
“Teach me Your way, O Lord,
And I will walk in Your truth;
Give me an undivided heart,
That I may fear Your Name.”
(Ps 86:11)
More thoughts from David:
Show me Your wyas, O Lord,
Teach me Your paths;
Guide me in Your truth and teach me
For You are God my Savior,
And my hope is in You all day long.
(Ps 25:4-5)