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