S – When he saw the crowds, he felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. ³⁸ Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.”

Matthew 9:36–38 CSB

O – “compassion” – Greek – 

splagchnizŏmai, to have the bowels yearn, i.e. (fig.) feel sympathy, to pity:— have (be moved with) compassion.

The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words

A – Jesus feels so deeply for the crowds that it is visceral.  Such a sense of compassion conveys the heart of God for us.  When we sin or pull back on our relationship with him, he longs for us to draw closer.  Jesus is seeing the scope of reaching people is beyond his one person and is preparing his followers to go out in twos in the next chapter.

R – Heavenly Father, we are in awe and wonder in who you are.  Please give us that same love for others when they need you.  We want others to be close to you and we can share the gospel and your love.