JESUS’ COMPASSION FOR THE MULTITUDES

(Matthew 9:35-38)

JESUS’ COMPASSION FOR THE MULTITUDES

I. “MOVED WITH COMPASSION”

Matt. 15:32, And Jesus called unto him his disciples, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days and have nothing to eat: and I would not send them away fasting, lest haply they faint on the way. 20:33, They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. 34 And Jesus, being moved with compassion, touched their eyes…

Mk. 1:40, And there cometh to him a leper… saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 41 And being moved with compassion, he stretched forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou made clean. Lk. 7:12 …Behold, there was carried out one that was dead, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.

JESUS’ COMPASSION FOR THE MULTITUDES

II. THE STATE OF THE MULTITUDE 

“Distressed and scattered” (ASV).

As sheep not having a shepherd, Num. 27:16,17; 1 Kgs. 22:17; Jer. 50:6

What Jesus revealed about the leaders of the multitude 

THE SHEPHERDS OF THE SHEEP

A generation of vipers, Matt. 3:7

Tradition following, Mk. 7:7,8

Bound laws that were not from God, Matt. 12:1-13

Circumvented the Law, Mk. 7:9-13

Sought signs, Matt. 16:1-4

Covetous, Lk. 16:14

Dishonest, Matt. 23:16-22

THE SHEPHERDS OF THE SHEEP

Sought praise of men, Matt. 6:1-18; 23:4-7

Warned against, Lk. 12:1; Matt. 16:5-12

Called “blind guides (Matt. 23:16,24),” “hypocrites (vs. 13,14,15),” “fools and blind” (vs. 17,19)

What do today’s shepherds teach?

Religious institutions are for social purposes

(Generally) Religion is simply to make one feel good

Religion consists of traditions handed down from men

Man is the highest being and must decide his own course in life (Humanism)

To wear immodest clothing

What do today’s shepherds teach?

To use profanity and curse

Lascivious dancing is “cool”

Immorality is good

Covetousness

Drinking is acceptable

Empty goals – be a star, be famous, be rich, other purely earthly goals

JESUS’ COMPASSION FOR THE MULTITUDES

III. THE CONCERNS OF THE ISRAEL OF JESUS’ DAY

Taxes

a.Under the Romans there were four kinds of taxes:

A land tax

A poll tax (Lk. 2:1)

Import and export custom at seaports and city gates

In Jerusalem there was a tax on houses (Josephus, Works, xix, vi, 3)

b. The Jewish people also paid a ½ Shekel Temple tax annually (Ex. 30:11-16; Matt. 17:24)

Extortion

Lk. 3:12, Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, "Collect no more than what is appointed for you.” (NKJV)

14, And soldiers also asked him, saying, And we, what must we do? And he said unto them, Extort from no man by violence…

Mk. 12:40, They (scribes, context) that devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers…

Herodians –vs- Zealots (Matt. 22:16,17; Acts 1:13)

Pharisees –vs- Sadducees (Acts 23:1-10)

Sects or classes

“Venality, violence, robbery, persecutions, wanton malicious insults, judicial murders without even the formality of a legal process, and cruelty — such are the charges broughtagainst his (Pontius Pilate’s, sw) administration. {Philo, u.s. 1034.}” (Alfred Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, p. 225, Ages Software) Lk. 13:1?

Violence

Acts 5:36, For before these days rose up Theudas, giving himself out to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and came to nought.

37, After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the enrolment, and drew away some of the people after him: he also perished; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad.

Violence

Mk. 15:7, And there was one called Barabbas, lying bound with them that had made insurrection, men who in the insurrection had committed murder.

Violence

“All sorts of misfortunes also sprang from these men, and the nation was infected with this doctrine (against taxation, sw) to an incredible degree; One violent war came upon us after another, and we lost our friends, who used to alleviate our pain; there were also very great robberies andmurders of our principal men. This was done in pretence indeed for the public welfare, but in reality for the hopes of gain to themselves; whence arose seditions, and from them murders of men, which sometimes fell on those of their own people…” (Josephus, XVIII,I)

The many references to the Jewish authorities plotting to kill Jesus (Matt. 12:14; 14:5; 26:59; Jno. 7:19,25; 11:53, etc.)

Violence

THE STATE OF OUR COUNTRY TODAY

Competing factions in our country

Divisions in our government

Economic uncertainty

General uncertainty

High divorce rate

Violence

Dangers to our lives from without and within

People need the completenessof Jesus’ care today!

JESUS’ COMPASSION FOR THE MULTITUDES

IV. THE NEED OF THE MULTITUDES: LABORERS, Matt. 9:37,38

JESUS’ COMPASSION FOR THE MULTITUDES

I.“MOVED WITH COMPASSION”

II. THE STATE OF THE MULTITUDE

III. THE CONCERNS OF THE ISRAEL OF JESUS’ DAY

IV. THE NEED OF THE MULTITUDES: LABORERS