He had compassion for them

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (Mt 9:36 ESV)

Before looking to the crowds with this reaction, Jesus had calmed a storm, cast out numerous demons, raised a girl from the dead, along with many other things. Yet, in all of these events the people were divided in their reactions to him. Some were afraid or showed their faith, while others laughed or rejected him.

When Jesus looked at the crowds he had compassion for them. He saw that they were in trouble and without guidance. His answer to this problem was to send the apostles. Turning to his disciples he said, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." (Mt 9:37-38 ESV)

Jesus immediately sends out his 12 apostles, instructing them to heal and teach the people. His comments in Mt 10:16-25 seem to be a near perfect description of what they all went through after his death in the book of Acts. What the apostles said was from God himself, "For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." (Mt 10:20 ESV) And the blessings they offered were a prophet's blessings. (Mt 10:40-42)

Jesus' answer to a flock with no shepherd was the apostles. The world around us could really use that kind of help today. Thanks be to God for preserving that guidance for us in the letters of the New Testament. These letters answer our needs when we are harassed and helpless: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned -every one- to his own way; the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Is 53:6 ESV)