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The Compassion Of
Jesus
– Matthew Nine –
The life of Jesus was a unique life. His life blessed those that
He touched. One quality that made Jesus' life so beautiful was His praying.
Another outstanding quality in the life of Jesus was His compassion. Jesus felt
deep sympathy and concern for the hurting. Jesus' entire life demonstrated
compassion. His compassion for the hurting caused Him to become known as the
friend of publicans and sinners. Jesus had compassion for the crowds of
people that flocked to him, because they were harassed and helpless. They were
like sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew 9:36) His heart went out to them.
Christians need this kind of compassion in their lives. Matthew nine looks at
the compassion of Jesus.
Of all the qualities in the life of Jesus none is greater than
compassion. Compassion means having a since of deep sympathy and the heartfelt
feelings of sorrow for someone hurting physically, mentally or emotionally.
Compassion is that unselfish need to reach out to help relieve the unfortunate
misery of a person in need. Jesus' compassion caused Him to want the hurting to
be helped and the lost to be saved. "He was moved with compassion."
Do you have the compassion of Christ?
Compassion
forgave and healed a paralyzed man. – Matthew 9:1-8: When the Gadarenes asked Jesus to leave He took them at their word.
(Matthew 8:34) He got into a boat and went to
The paralyzed man felt the touch of Jesus' compassion. "When
the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified
God, which had given such power unto men." (Matthew 9:8) Jesus' compassion
made possible the forgiveness of sins. "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him
stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our
transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our
peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:4-5)
Compassion
called followers and answered criticism – Matthew 9:9-17: The
compassion of Jesus called a hated man to follow Him. Matthew was a tax
collector, a publican. Jesus called him to be His disciple. The call of
compassion was simple --"follow me" Immediately after the call of
Matthew Satan tried to discourage Jesus, Matthew and other disciples.
"When the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?"
(Matthew 9:11) Jesus answered Satan's criticism by saying, "Those who are
well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick." Jesus truly
came to call sinners to repentance.
Some of Jesus' greatest teaching arose out of criticism. Jesus was
criticized because His disciples were not fasting. His answer was there was no
need for fasting and sorrowing while He (the bridegroom) was still with them.
In this section the Lord used the cloth and the wineskins to teach that what is
done must be done correctly or a waste was made. Out of compassion Jesus
answers their criticism.
Compassion
restored a girl and healed a woman – Matthew 9:18-26: It was
compassion that caused Jesus to raise Jairus'
daughter from the dead. (Luke 8:51) Jairus was a
father that loved his daughter very much. He had heard about Jesus' miracle
working ministry. He believed that Jesus could heal his daughter too. So when Jairus heard that Jesus was in town he ran out of to find
Him. The compassion of Jesus shined as He immediately arose and went with Jairus. When Jesus went into Jairus'
house He took the little girl by the hand and raised her from the dead.
It was also compassion that caused Jesus to heal the woman with
the issue of blood. She felt that if she could touch the hem of His garment she
would be healed. He tenderly said to the woman, "be of good cheer,
daughter; your faith has made you well." Jesus felt much compassion for
this woman that had such faith in His power. We are challenged by Jesus to be
compassionate and merciful, as He was. As those that would imitate Jesus we
must be active in showing compassion to others.
Compassion
healed the blind, mute and called for laborers – Matthew 9:27-38: The
request of the blind men was, "have pity and mercy on us." In
compassion Jesus touched their eyes and gave them sight. How it touched the
heart of the Master when these two blind men followed Him crying. Our cry
should also be a cry for mercy and we should thank God that the Son of David
has pity or compassion on all!
The case of this mute man is also very sad. He was under the power
of Satan, possessed with a devil. He was not able to speak. By compassion Jesus
gave him speech. How thankful we should be to be able to see and speak. The
events in this case are as follows: (1) the man was under the power of Satan,
(2) Christ cared or had compassion on him, (3) the man was cured, (4) the
people marveled, but (5) the Pharisees blasphemed. They said, "He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils."
The compassion of Jesus caused Him to go to others teaching and
preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing the sick. The compassion (pity
and sympathy) Jesus felt for the dejected and distressed multitudes caused Him
to say, "Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into the
harvest." The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few.
The fact that Jesus is no longer present with us in the flesh has
not altered His compassion for our weaknesses. "Seeing then that we have a
great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an
high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but
was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews
4:14-15) Jesus is our high priest; He sits at the right hand of God the Father
to intercede for His people, and He so intimately understands the feelings of
our infirmities.
The compassion of Jesus is learned as one hears the gospel and
believes. (Romans 10:17, John 8:24) Faith in the compassionate Christ must lead
one to repent of sins (Acts
- - - -
Charles Box
News & Notes
1. Prayer List: In Need Of Prayers: Jerry Barr (after hospital
stay), James Barr (brother of Jerry Barr), Linda Bender, Dawn Bradley, Emily
Cain, Marie Curlee (surgery February 19th),
Benjamin Faulkenberry (surgery February 20th),
Evie Fisher, Roy Goodwin, Ramona Gravely, Montine Hardin, Jean Harrell, Evan Hartsell,
Billy Heartsill, Tommy Hunt (son of Jimmy & Betty
Hobbie), Darrell Jones, Mary Lawrence, Carson
O’Connor, Steve Osborne, Mary Powell, John Reynolds, Otty
Simon, Joe Smith, Peggy Stabler, Roger Strange, Raisa Tarosava, Doris Taylor,
Winston Temple, Bobby Terrell, Brittany Till, Leroy Waller, and Pam
Whittington. Crowne Health Care: Kathy
Johnson, Myrtle Perdue, and Iva Lou Wright.
2.
Baptized Into Christ: Kimberly Hittell was baptized into Christ by Adam Garlock. Please welcome Kimberly into God’s family and let
Adam know how proud you are of him! Kimberly’s address is
3.
Please Pray For: The following people are serving in Iraq: Sam Sanders,
son of Jerry Sanders, Jason Godwin, son of Barbara Walker, Michael Howell,
grandson of Clifford and Ella Mae McCarter, Kimberly Williams, cousin of Marie
Owens and Brenda Herring, and Taylor Bodie,
grandson-in-law of William & Margaret Pierce. Pray for them often!
4. Birthdays:
Celebrating birthdays this week are: February 18th Dorothy
Buck, Terry Reaves and Jimmy Walker, February 20th Al Brannon,
and February
23rd Ed Bagents.
5.
6. Visiting
Speaker: One of our new endeavors for 2007 is to support Kelly Windham
as he attends Northwest Florida School of Biblical Studies. We will have an
opportunity to get to know him soon. He will preach for us on Sunday night,
March 4th.
7. 2007
Church Budget: Our Elders have challenged us with a weekly budget of
$6,427.38 for 2007. If we all give as God has blessed us that will be no
problem. “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and
he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” (II Cor.
9:6)
8. Resource
Room: (a) The
resource room is in need of a few items: strawberry baskets, detergent scoops,
clothes pins, calendars, plastic oranges or grapefruit bags, and magazines. If
you have any questions please see Lisa Bagents. (b) Supplies for new bulletin boards
are in the resource room. Please try to have the bulletin boards completed by
the end of the month.
9. Put
These Dates On Your Calendar: (a) Feb 18-21 – Gospel Meeting –
Liberty Church of Christ – Steve Housley – Sunday
morning Bible Class 9:00 & Worship 10:00 a.m. and each evening 7:30 p.m. (b) Mar. 5-8, 2007 – Faulkner
University – Annual Bible Lectures – Theme: Our God, He is Alive (c) Mar. 25-29 – Memphis School of
Preaching – Theme “Epistles To Corinth” – See the bulletin board for speakers
and schedule of events. (d) April
27-28 – Marriage Seminar – Walnut Street Church of Christ – Speakers Glenn
& Cindy Colley (e) Sept. 24-26,
2007 – Regions University – Spiritual Enrichment Forum – Embassy Suites,
Montgomery.
10.
No One Can
Serve Two Masters
Do you ever notice how certain people,
places, and situations may cause us to guard ourselves more closely or change
our behavior (at least temporarily)? An unsupervised child may mis-behave, but when a stern parent enters the room that
changes quickly. Those of us who have been warned by a doctor about certain
health risks might tend to overlook his recommendations at home, but when it’s
time for that checkup, or if we run into the doctor at meal time, we are eager
to apply healthy habits to our lives. Perhaps you speed dangerously down the
road and ignore traffic signs and signals, then slam on your brakes and put
your hands at “ten and two” when a police officer is in sight. The list could
go on, but the point is that these so called changes in behavior will do little or nothing for the overall
health and wellness of these people.
The child who only changes his behavior when
mommy is watching is still a disobedient child. The patient who only eats and
lives healthy in the presence of the doctor will not gain the benefits of the
treatment or recommendations he/she is given. The driver who only respects
traffic regulations when he sees a police officer is really no safer to himself
or others than one who completely ignores the law. A clear spiritual
application can be made here. Some
“Christians” are in the habit of living like the rest of the sinful world, but
when they run into the preacher, elders, or other church members (or when they
enter the doors of the church building) they appear to be the epitome of a faithful
child of God.
“This people honors me with
their lips, but their heart is far
from me” (Matt 15:8). God has never been pleased when men practice fake
righteousness. Even if everyone on earth believes you are righteous, He has
said: “I the Lord search the
heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to
the fruit of his deeds” (Jer
-
- - - Darrell Powell
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When we move with compassion we will do something great for God!
Don’t just own a Bible; read it!
(334-382-3001)