A Tender Heart

“When (Jesus) saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:36

I have noticed something about myself as I’ve gotten older. I seem to get “misty” more often! You know what I’m talking about–not a full-on cry, but your eyes get moist and you kind of get choked up. Sometimes it’s a touching moment on a movie, even, or a well written note. I’m getting soft in my old age!

When I look at Jesus in the Gospels, however, I never think of Him as soft. He is gracious, of course, merciful and kind, but always stands firm in the Truth (John 1:14). He stood up to the Pharisees and called them out for their hypocrisy. He drove the money changers from the temple for perverting the temple. No, Jesus was not soft. Yet, He wept when He stood at the tomb of His dear friend Lazarus. In the verse above, His heart was moved with compassion when He saw the crowds. Why? Jesus knew that they were missing the whole point of life and living, that they were spending their time and energy on things that had no eternal value.

So, I ask myself, and I ask you–how tender is your heart? Not just for your family and your friends, but for the lost? How tender is your heart for the neighbor whose dog barks all night long? How tender is your heart for the co-worker whose laziness makes your job more difficult? How tender is your heart for the man on the corner who hasn’t showered in a month? Father–give us tender hearts that we might share Your love with those who need it most.

-Pastor Mike