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
Camille Seamons
4/30/2018 08:16:45 pm
I love this.
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Grandma K
4/5/2019 05:59:09 pm
I love this I always feel the spirit when I read your blogs I feel the Lords love for me and my love for Him and you swells in my heart
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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.
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