It then states "... they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."

HOW MUCH MORE TRAGIC COULD THIS BE! How are they so without shepherds?!

The clear context provided is that Jesus observed this in THE VERY PLACE that they should have had a multitude of shepherds, the synagogue; a place that was intended to house an entire tribe of shepherds.

And yet, no shepherd could be found. The synagogue had become a vapid and hollow shell of religious observance; a place in which to feed upon the poor and needy; populated with wicked and slothful servants who, knowing their master, did not invest properly that in which He had entrusted them.

This, friends, is empty religion defined.

Praise God that we have so compassionate King as Jesus! We have no need to be slaves and victims of men any longer than it takes to look upon Christ, the saviour, because He has freed us so wonderfully from such bondage and allowed all those who seek to enter into His kingdom. This was the message preached by Him.

I'd encourage you to read Spurgeon's sermon of Matt 9:36 titled "The Compassion of Jesus", published in 1914, and I'll close this post with Spurgeon's closing prayer in the sermon:

" My Saviour, have pity upon me; be moved with compassion towards me, for if misery be any qualification for mercy, I am a fit object for thy compassion. Oh! save me for thy mercy's sake!" Amen.