This morning in worship we looked at the 9th chapter of the Gospel according to Matthew. I talked about The Sensitivity of Jesus. Jesus was sensitive to the needs of those around him.

In Matthew, chapter 9, Jesus heals a paralyzed man, a woman with a hemorrhage, two blind men, and a man who is mute. Jesus shows compassion towards a grieving father and he brings the father’s daughter back to life. Also in this chapter, Jesus calls a tax collector to follow him, Jesus hang out with “undesirables,” and Jesus is moved with compassion as he sees the needs of people around him.

The clear implication of Jesus’ ministry both to the “up and out” and the “down and out” is that we too should be doing works of compassionate ministry. Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Jesus was sensitive to the needs of those around him. He acted on behalf of others to meet those needs. You and I are called to do the same.

Unfortunately, our lives are so busy we often breeze right past people without even noticing them. We’ve seen so many natural and manmade disasters on TV that we have become inured. We change the channel rather than watch or respond.

One of the ways we can respond sensitively is through our gifts to the American for Christ Offering. Our AFC gifts help rebuild homes and lives following natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina, provide encouragement to chaplains on the battlefield in Iraq, and provide life changing ministries to individuals and churches throughout Illinois and Missouri.

Another and more personal way we can respond sensitively is simply to notice those around us this week. Take time to notice, really notice those you encounter each day. They may need nothing more from you than a kind word, a simple recognition that they exist and are of value. Or you may discover there is a deeper need you can meet. When you do, you will be blessed and you will be a blessing to others.