“Years ago, a woman missionary went to Tunis in North Africa, where she tried to reach Muslims for Christ. She met with little success, as often seems to be the case in Muslim countries. But she persisted, above all trying to love those to whom she witnessed.

One Muslim boy came to her home every week for English lessons. As she taught him English, she tried to tell him about Jesus, but he was unmoved. Finally, the summer before he was to go away to the university came, and he dropped his English sessions. One day, just before his departure, he came to say goodbye to the missionary for the final time. They had tea together and she told him again of the love of Jesus. But while he was polite, he was adamant in resisting the gospel.

At last, he bid farewell and headed down the path through the garden, leading to the outside gate. Here he stopped and looked back and he saw his teacher standing in the doorway looking after him with tears streaming down her face. He could resist no longer. Her tears conquered the rebellion in his heart. He returned up the path and into her living room, where he trusted Christ as His Savior.”

You may have heard this story before, but I think it is a great reminder for us. In order to be effective witnesses for Christ, we need to see what Jesus sees and feel what He feels. Only then can we truly be His hands and feet in reaching others for His Kingdom.

Too often I have heard folks say they have not accepted Christ or won’t go to church because they feel judged by Christians or feel that they are being condemned. This should not be. Just as Jesus had compassion on the crowds in the verse above, we too are to have compassion on the numerous souls around us who desperately need Christ. Let us focus on loving God and loving others as ourselves, just like Jesus told us to do. He will handle the rest.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, our world today is filled with people who will spend eternity in hell unless they come to know you. Allow us to feel the urgency to step up and be the workers you are looking for to bring them to you. Not through our many words, but through the compassion we demonstrate to them. May they see Jesus in us and find their salvation to experience Jesus for themselves as well. Help me see what you see and feel what you feel so that I can act as you would act. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’ name. Amen.

1.       Matthew 9:36-38 (NLT).

2.       Told by James Boice, The Gospel of John [Zondervan], p. 771.