But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. While teaching, preaching, and healing in the cities of Galilee, Jesus is "moved with compassion" on the people he is serving. Likewise, if you want to increase your love towards someone, serve him or her. If you want to sympathize with someone's distress, serve him or her. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers teaches that rather than use the verb "fainted" in this verse, many authorities favor using the "the past participle of the verb translated “trouble” in Mark 5:35, Luke 7:6, and meaning literally “flayed,” and thence figuratively “tormented, worried, vexed.” They were not merely as sheep that have grown weary and faint, hungry, looking up and yet not fed, but were as those that have been harassed by the wolf." The adversary is real. The wolf is no mere fictitious antagonist, but a real being who "seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself" (2 Nephi 2:27). On the other hand, Jesus Christ is our true and living shepherd. He is our Savior. To combat Satan, "we must humble [ourselves] before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that [we] may not be tempted above that which [we] can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit” (Alma 13:22)." It does not matter how many times we have fallen--how many times we have succumbed to the wolf's subtle enticements. Christ knows his sheep by name, and will leave the ninety and nine to rescue the one lost sheep. Said Jesus, "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance."
2 Comments
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. Jesus taught, preached, and healed. In other words, he imparted knowledge, gave sermons, and restored health. Think about how selfless these acts are. Jesus' life was devoted to others. If we can be a little less concerned about ourselves and a little more focused on others each day, we can come to know how the Savior's life a little better.
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible emphasizes Christ's visit to all the cities: "He did not confine himself, and his acts of kindness and compassion, to his own city, Capernaum, but he took a circuit throughout all Galilee." There is some debate about whether Christ visited the small villages or just the principle Galilean cities and towns. Certainly, he desired to share the good news to all. I wonder if Christ ever felt worn thin in his calling, as we sometimes do in our busy lives. Did he ache at his inability to visit everyone, or did he cherish the personal visits could make? Perhaps his visit with Mary and Martha shed's some light. When Jesus came into Mary and Martha's home, Mary sat at Jesus' feet while "Martha was cumbered about much serving." (Luke 10:38). Martha inquired of Jesus, "Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone?" Jesus answered, "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things. But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken from her." In our efforts to serve others, we should focus on President Thomas S. Monson's charge, "Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved." Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward. Learning how to make choices and use agency righteously is a central purpose of this life. We receive a "reward" for making righteous choices and involving ourselves in good causes without being compelled to do so. I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who rewards my efforts and my righteous desires. For me, this reward has included an increased capacity to love, enduring friendships, and a stronger testimony of Jesus Christ's restored gospel. We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day. Righteous character is a precious manifestation of what you are becoming. |
Archives
October 2022
Categories
All
For anyone interested, I have a professional blog titled The Instructional Designer's Toolkit where I share tools and inspiration for instructional designers and e-learning developers.
|