The Rescue Mission

Do you struggle to show compassion to yourself or others? When the world seems to move further away from the ways of Jesus, is it hard to extend compassion and grace? Many Christians respond by looking down on others, judging, or seeking revenge. I’ve felt this way many times myself.

But how did Jesus respond to these same challenges and people? The Bible says Jesus looked at the crowds with compassion. They were like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36). Jesus didn’t come to help the righteous but to help sinners. In Luke 5, Jesus used the picture of a doctor to say He didn’t come to serve the healthy but the sick. And He said He is always seeking the lost, desiring to save them.

Shouldn’t we want the same mindset and actions as Christ toward the hurting world around us?

I’ve come to realize the only difference between me and the lost is Jesus Christ. At one point He sought me out when I was lost and won me to Himself by His grace. This still amazes me! Even now, as I grow in faith, my own good works are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6) compared to Christ’s righteousness. When I remember this, I can’t help but respond with humility. I can’t help but show compassion to myself. I can’t help but extend grace to people far from God.

Jesus cared deeply about the lost. The parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son in Luke 15 show how He seeks, finds, shows mercy, and restores. If we want to be more like Jesus, we should want the same—to love the lost, care for the lost, and tell the lost about the Savior who is graciously seeking them.

Reflection Questions:

• Reflect back on how God saved you…how did this happen for you? Respond in praise and thanksgiving!
• Who is someone in your life who doesn’t know Christ that you can pray for right now and share His love with?

Prayer:

"Lord, thank You for saving me when I was lost. I praise You for being my Shepherd, my Father, and my Savior. Use me to extend this same grace and compassion to the lost in my life, always pointing back to You. Amen."

Brian Barnett
Virginia, USA
Team Leader Campus Ministry