In the first sermon of the “Through His Eyes” series, Pastor Adam Burton explores the profound theme of “Compassion Unleashed: Seeing Beyond the Surface.” Drawing from the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 9:35-38 and the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:29-37, this message challenges us to see the world through the compassionate eyes of Christ and act with His love.
Central to Jesus’ ministry was His deep compassion for the crowds that followed Him. He didn’t just preach from a distance; He entered people’s lives’ messy, painful reality. When He saw the harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd, He was moved with a gut-level compassion that compelled Him to action. This compassion wasn’t reserved for the respectable but extended to the outsiders, the outcasts, and the marginalized.
As followers of Christ, we are called to unleash this same compassion in our own lives. When we interact with others, whether coworkers, neighbors, or strangers, do we see them through the eyes of Christ? “Compassion Unleashed” means taking the time to listen, to offer a kind word, or to lend a helping hand, even when it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient.
The parable of the Good Samaritan further illustrates that genuine compassion knows no boundaries. It crosses lines of race, class, gender, and religion, recognizing every person’s inherent dignity and worth. Just as the Samaritan crossed social and cultural barriers to help the wounded man, we are called to expand our idea of who our neighbor is and actively build bridges of understanding and care.
However, compassion is not meant to stop with us. “Compassion Unleashed” is a force that propels us to action, meeting the needs we see around us. In a world where the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few, we are called laborers in the harvest field, actively seeking the lost and hurting to offer them the love and care they desperately need.
As individuals and as a church, let us pray for the Lord to send workers into His harvest field, but let us also be willing to say, “Here I am, Lord. Send me.” May we step out of our comfort zones and allow the compassion of Christ to flow through us, bringing hope and healing to a broken world.
“Compassion Unleashed” is a powerful reminder that we are called to see the world through Christ’s eyes and respond with His love. Let us embrace this challenge, allowing the transformative power of compassion to change lives and communities for the glory of God.
