I Cannot Unsee What I Have Seen
Friday, July 17
Matthew 9:35-36 (NKJV)
“Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.”
Devotion
Today’s scripture reading is from the book of Matthew, which details the ministry of Jesus and His followers. Mercy is the core foundation of Jesus' ministry; when He saw the crowds, He felt compassion. One of the hardest life lessons we can learn is that true compassion is never passive.
Jesus teaches us to look at the messy, broken, or confused crowds with compassion instead of frustration, anger, or judgment. Jesus looked at them with profound grace.
He recognized that their bad state was due to a lack of guidance, protection, and leadership.
Jesus' ministry and life challenge us to change how we view difficult or broken people. Instead of judging their condition, we should see their underlying pain and recognize their need for guidance and love.
In the movie One Life, the main character, Nicholas Winton, saw with raw emotion the hardship of the refugees migrating from other countries at the height of the Nazi invasion; his heart broke for the families and children who were out in the cold. He saw the suffering; he saw the raw pain and misery in the faces of people he did not know. This stirred his heart to compassion because he could not unsee what he had seen and experienced. In God's eyes, no one is too remote or unreachable. Psalm 34:18: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
No person is too insignificant, and no place is too isolated for God’s notice. He actively seeks out the neglected and the forgotten.
In the original Greek language of the New Testament, the word for compassion (splagchnizomai) refers to a deep, gut-wrenching feeling. It is not just casual pity; it is an emotion so strong that it forces a person to act. It shows us that true compassion is not passive. It doesn't look at suffering and simply feel bad; it moves you to step in and help.
Today's Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Give me eyes to see people the way You do. Fill my heart with Your compassion, and don't let me turn away from the needs around me. Help me to love with both my words and my actions, reflecting Your mercy wherever You lead me. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Apply It Today
Allow what God has shown you to shape how you live. When God opens your eyes to the brokenness around you, don’t become desensitized. Let those moments deepen your dependence on Him and inspire you to be a vessel of His hope, healing, and love.
Resources
- God’s blessings are connected to His purpose and His Word. Watch “The Secret To Being Blessed” and discover principles that will help you walk in the fullness of God’s promises.
- Single parents, you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Join our online Single & Parenting Support Group for faith-filled encouragement, meaningful community, and biblical truth to help you thrive as a parent. Sign up today!