Seeing the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast, like sheep without a shepherd. -Matthew 9:36
What makes this verse wonderful to me is that seeing the crowds, Jesus didn’t see a crowd, He saw individuals. He looked into their eyes. He traced their faces and read their hearts. He felt their distress. He took note that they were wandering about aimlessly, “like sheep without a shepherd”.
Jesus is not a casual observer.
Jesus sees me.
He sees me in the midst of the crowd.
And here’s the thing- even though I’m totally broken, what He sees doesn’t turn His face away. Instead of retreating He moves toward me!
Seeing the crowds, He felt compassion for them. -Matthew 9:36
Not for a nameless, faceless crowd, but you and me. He sees us. And what does He do with what He sees?
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. -Psalm 147:3
This is what being a good shepherd is all about! A good shepherd cares for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters the flock. -John 10:11-12
I’ve never seen Jesus run away when the wolf is coming!