{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Reflections","title":"Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week After Trinity","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":418,"description":"October 7, 2026\n\nToday's Reading: Matthew 9:18-38\nDaily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 6:10-25; Matthew 9:18-38\n\n“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36)\n\nIn the Name + of Jesus. Amen.\n\nA woman suffering for twelve years from a horrible disease, a dead daughter, two blind men crying out for mercy, a demon-possessed man who could not speak – all healed by Jesus. With just a word and with just a touch, those who suffered incurably were made whole. Just another day in the life and ministry of Jesus as he traveled from city to village, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the gospel, healing every diseased and afflicted person that was brought to him. No wonder there were always crowds around him, hungering for spiritual food and longing for a healing touch. \n\nGut-wrenched! Deeply moved with visceral emotion! These words best describe the compassion Jesus had when he saw the crowds gathered around him. Why the agonizing reaction? When Jesus’ eyes looked on the crowds, he saw much more than just their physical needs. They were beaten up and beaten down with no one to defend or care for them. Harassed – being bullied by sin and the Devil. Helpless – being thrown away and dejected with no hope. The Good Shepherd was deeply moved to see sheep in need of a shepherd who did not have one. \n\n“I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep…declares the Lord God” (Ezekiel 34:15). Our God is not a spectator watching us from the sidelines. No, he gets down in the mud with us. He becomes one of us, so that he may be our shepherd. God’s compassion always moves him to action. For the harassed, Jesus comes with good news of a future life free from the effects of a fallen world. For the helpless, Jesus brings words of hope: God has made the impossible possible. An incurable disease? Helplessly blind? Death? The harassing Devil? No problem. Jesus has come to overcome them all....","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/P3eUvssXYVZBQK4BZg1UEKstUh8zuVz_CoZCK6YjRSs/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzI1MTcyLzE3MDI0/Mjg1MzAtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}