The Compassion of Jesus
He will rise up to show you compassion. Isaiah 30:18
When we consider the ministry of Jesus, we cannot help but observe the compassion and mercy that flowed out of Him. “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick” (Matt. 14:14). The Lord is a God of compassion and mercy: Psalm 86:15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
The compassion is present in every miracle Jesus performed, but in the six of them it is specifically mentioned as a factor (Matthew 14:14; 15:32; 20:34; Mark 1:41; Mark 5:19; Luke 7:13). In this message I would like to share what the compassion of Jesus can do in your life.
1. Compassion to heal the SICK
Jesus delivered all who came to him from every kind of sickness (Matthew 8:16; 15:30-31). His healing works were motivated by compassion and pity for the sick (Matthew 9:36; 14:14; 20:34).
On one occasion, Jesus withdrew by boat across Lake Galilee to a deserted place by himself. But the crowds got to hear of it, and followed on foot around the lake, interrupting his solitude. ‘When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick.’ (Matthew 14:14). Instead of grudging their intrusion into his private life, he cared for them and ministered to their needs.
Jesus healed people from leprosy. Leprosy caused double suffering. First there was the physical malady itself which ate away at the victim’s body. But there was also the emotional component. A leper could no longer live among family and friends. They were relegated to the fringes of society. Disease and shame were the leper’s constant companions.
Instead of being anxious for his own safety and immunity, we see Jesus being willing to allow them near to him and even to touch them, as he laid hands on them and healed them. Mark describes a desperate solitary leper coming to him, begging him on his knees, ‘If you choose, you can make me clean.’ ‘Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I do choose. Be made clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him.’ (Mark 1:40-42). The man was not only healed of his dreaded disease; in the process he was loved and affirmed as a person.
Jesus cured not just to prove he was God, but because he was God abounding in love and compassion. Sick people came flocking to him because he reached out to touch every one of them. He will do the same to you today!
2. Compassion to restore joy to the SORROWFUL
“And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. (Luke 7:12-15)
If you have ever had a loved one die, you know something of the plight of this widow woman. Her son had died, and when the Lord Jesus saw her, he had compassion on her. He knew her sorrow, He knew her tears, and His compassion caused Him to raise the woman’s son from the dead.
Jesus did not wait for anyone to plead with Him in this incident. His compassion moved him to help the widow who was sorrowful and inconsolable. Yes, Sometimes, before we call for help, He answers—what a special blessing that is (Isaiah 65:24; Daniel 9:20-23). When the widow thought that all her hope was gone, she found her hope in Jesus. She got back her son alive and her joy was restored.
Jesus loves you and has compassion on you too, when you are hurting and sorrowful. Just as Jesus told the widow, he says to you “do not weep.’ Trust in His great love and have faith in Him. He will do a miracle in your life also. He will turn your sorrows into joy (John 16:20). He will restore the joy and peace which you have lost for He is a God of restoration!
3. Compassion to bring freedom for the SUFFERING
A father brought his suffering, demon-possessed son to Jesus. He had seizures and was suffering terribly. The father described how this had happened often since childhood. Then he cried out to Jesus: “Have compassion on us!” Jesus was moved with great compassion for the father and his devil-possessed son (Mark 9:17-27). Jesus rebuked the demon, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly.
There was another man who was sorely afflicted because he was possessed with a legion of devils. The man was in an awful condition. He wore no clothes. He lived in the tombs. He abused his body. He cut himself with stones and was always crying out in the night. Jesus, out of compassion, met this man and commanded the unclean spirits to come out of him. Then he was totally changed. Jesus set him free from all his sufferings (Mark 5:1-20)
Satan wants to kill, to steal and to destroy but Jesus wants to give you abundant life and freedom (John 10:10). Are you suffering from demonic oppression, financial losses, and family issues? Give your life to Jesus. He will set you free from your affliction and anguish.
4. Compassion to forgive the SINNERS
Jesus’ compassion was not confined to cases of physical need or suffering. He earned the nickname ‘friend of sinners’ because of his tenderness towards those who were ostracized from respectable society or burdened with moral failure. Matthew and Zacchaeus owed their conversion to Jesus’ personal invitation to follow him, when they were working as despised tax collectors (Matthew 9:9-13; Luke 19:1-10). Jesus had compassion on them and transformed their lives by forgiving their sins.
Once the religious leaders of Jesus’ day brought a woman caught in adultery to Jesus in the temple, challenging him to uphold the law of Moses, which sanctioned stoning to death for this offence (Leviticus 20:10, Deuteronomy 22:22). Jesus didn’t reply, but bent down to write on the ground. ‘Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her’, he said to the proud men gathered around to condemn her. One by one they slunk away, leaving only Jesus and the woman. Then he straightened up and said, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you? She said, ‘No one, sir.’ Jesus replied, ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.’ (John 8:2-11).
This woman’s life was not only wrecked by her sin, but she was also forced to endure public shame as well. Yet in spite of this woman’s wicked and lurid past, Jesus extended compassion to her. That’s not to say that He condoned her wickedness. He didn’t. But in His matchless wisdom, Jesus knew this woman didn’t need another critic; she needed someone who cared. Yes, Jesus cares for you. He will not condemn you. He wants to give you a brand new life.
If Jesus was moved with compassion then, he is still moved with compassion today, because he has not changed (Heb 13:8). If he had compassion on the sick, sorrowful and suffering in his earthly ministry, he has compassion on you today if you are in the same condition. Today he is your “merciful and faithful high priest” (Heb 2:17)
The ultimate act of his compassion can be seen at Calvary where He willingly laid down his life for our sins. My dear friend, come to Jesus and experience his compassion. He will never turn away anyone who comes to him (John 6:37). He loves you and wants you to come to him, confessing you are a sinner in need of forgiveness. He will forgive your sins, bless you and give you a new start in your life! God Bless You!
