Lots of things to see in this passage.
Jesus went. He went out to preach the good news, to touch, and to heal those who were hurting.
Jesus saw. So many times we see people, but we don’t really see them. Maybe we’re too wrapped up in our own thoughts, our own lives, or our own agendas. And so fail to really see the people we come into contact with.
Other times, we see them but only see the outside. How they look. How they act. But we fail to see the hurt and utter need in their hearts. But Jesus saw all these things.
Jesus had compassion. He not only went and saw, but his heart went out to them.
He had compassion on them as he saw all the chains that Satan had bound them with. He had compassion on them as he saw how Satan was constantly harassing them.
And as they wandered around completely lost, not knowing the path of life, his heart ached for them.
As disciples of Jesus, this is how we should be. Going out. Seeing. Showing compassion.
Jesus exhorted his disciples, pled with his disciples,
The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. (Matthew 9:37-38)
There’s an old song I love from the Imperials (anyone still remember them?) that I always think of as I read this passage.
It says,
See the fields,
Ripe and white as snow,
Up from the seeds of faith we planted long ago.So many the hearts in season,
With every prayer they’ve grown.
He has made them ready,
But we must bring them home.Time like a free wind,
So quickly slips away.
Too soon today’s tomorrow,
Too soon a yesterday.So little time for the reaping,
And laborers are few,
Lift your heads to the fields of white,
The work that we must do.Lord of the Harvest,
Place your fire in me.
Servant you need now,
Servant I will be.Give me the eyes of your Spirit,
Your heart of compassion to know,
Lord of the Harvest,
Show me where to go.Wherever you may lead me,
Lord of the Harvest,
Lord of the Harvest, I’ll go.–Paul Smith, James Newton Howard
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 