Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”
His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?”
“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.”

What compels you? What compels me?

Is it a vacation, an activity, a relationship, or an income level?

Jesus was compelled by compassion for the lost sheep of Israel. He wanted them to be physically fed.

The fact that they stayed with Jesus for three days, without food, tells us something significant about their commitment to hear the truth and be a part of his ministry. They had fasted for three days.

They were hungry for the truth. They were hungry for being in the presence of an authentic man, who loved not just with Words, but in action and in truth. They were hungry for a path to meaning in life.

What are you hungry for today? What do I hunger for?

Jesus was compelled with compassion to meet their physical needs because he loved them and he delighted in their spiritual hunger.

How do we allow God to build in us an increased ability to have true compassion on those we serve?

Lord, you modeled incredible compassion. I want my compassion to grow to be bigger and deeper in quality, like your compassion. Teach me. Transform my heart. Humble me and help me to see the opportunity to be compassionate more and more each day!