“I feel bad for you…I hate that you’re having a hard time…I’m really sorry things are so tough for you right now…BUT I CAN’T DO ANYTHING!” It is one thing to possess feelings of sorrow or sympathy for another, but it is a completely different experience to actually do something about it. Such is the story of the priest, the Levite and the Samaritan in Luke 10.
I like the way the KJV, NKJV and ASV translate Jesus’ response to the crowd in Matthew 9:36 – “When He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them…” Jesus did not merely possess feelings of sorrow or sympathy; He was ready to do something about it. So the KJV, NKJV and ASV indicate He was moved with compassion. Jesus was moved to act!
When you see those in this world who are “weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd” (Matt. 9:36), do you possess sympathy for them? Or are you moved with compassion to the point that you move to act on their behalf? May we be like Jesus!