THE COMPASSION OF JESUS
A Sermon By Pastor Mark Taylor
January 14, 2012
“He was moved with compassion” Matthew 9:36
If there is one word that describes our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, it is compassion. Thousands, if not millions have given their lives to God’s Son for this very reason, and that is His compassion toward them. He has revealed His compassion through His written Word, through minsters and teachers, through His Holy Spirit, and through the testimonies of others.
The evidence of His compassion is shown from the beginning of time. Before ever the earth was framed; before the foundations of the everlasting hills were laid, when as yet the stars had not begun their shining, it was known to God that his creature man would sin and need compassion. Our Lord and Savior volunteered to pay for that sin, that we might be able to receive forgiveness and have a relationship with God. “Forasmuch ay you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as sliver and gold from your sin, by the traditions from your fathers: But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who was foreordained before the foundation of the world.” (I Peter 1: 18-20).
Jesus Christ came himself into this messed up world where there was no compassion. The Infinite came down to earth in the form of an infant. Therefore, in the incarnation, He had compassion, for He took upon himself our hurts and disappointments, and was made like unto ourselves. “ For we do not have a high priest, which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all point tempted like we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). He gave up all the comforts of Heaven. He gave His life for the whole world. He gave his very self to prove that He was moved with compassion. Most of all we see how He was moved with compassion upon those who were involved in His terrible death. He forgave them.
In the Lord Jesus Christ’s life on earth He had compassion. “Two blind men, when they heard that Jesus passed by cried out saying “Have mercy on us, O Lord...And Jesus said What do you want me to do for you? They said unto Him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him’ (Matthew 20:30-34). He is still having compassion on those who need physical healing. Do you believe that Christ can heal you? Do you believe that he is willing to heal you? Then let me assure you that a channel of communication is opened between Him and you, for He is moved with compassion towards you, and already I hear Him command you to come to Him. He is ready to heal you now. If He chooses not to heal you immediately, you can be assured that there is a reason and it is not because of a lack of ability or desire on His part. Sometimes our suffering will draw us closer to God and bring Him glory. Jesus said to Paul in his sickness: “My grace is sufficient for you; for my strength is made perfect in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Regardless, He has compassion for you whether He heals you now or later; whether He heals you in this life time or the one to come.
The Lord Jesus has compassion on those who Satan and his demonic forces have attacked and control them through addictions. There was a man who had many demons and had no control over his mind or will. He was both mentally and physically abused by them.
When Jesus saw him, He commanded the unclean spirits to come out of him. Then Jesus said to him: “Go home to your friends, and tell them how great things the Lord has done for you, and has had compassion on you” (Mark 5: 1-20). Today, if you are being physically or mentally abused by others or suffer from past abuses, ask the Lord to have compassion on you and deliver you. He has compassion on all those that love Him. These people need your prayers that the Lord Jesus would work a miracle in their lives and deliver them.
The Lord Jesus has compassion on those who have experienced the death of a loved one. The Lord Jesus saw a widow who had a son, that was her only means of financial support, and only child, who had just died. “And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion her, and said unto to her, Weep Not. And He came and touched the boy and said unto him, Young man, I say unto you, Arise” (Luke 7:11-17). And you that are mourning over those that have been lately taken from you, Jesus pities you. Jesus weeps with you, He sympathizes with your tears. He will dry them and give you consolation. "He was moved with compassion." The comfort He brings to you is what the Lord tells all of us who have been temporally separated from our loved ones: “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).
The Lord Jesus has compassion on those who love Him and are poor and needy. “I have compassion on the multitude because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat; and I will not send them away hungry and allow them to faint on their way home.” (Matthew 15:32). In this case he used the little that was given to Him to feed the multitude. He took the little and multiplied it and had seven large baskets left over. Do you have a little you can give to Jesus to help others? When you give your little, it will be enough and the compassion of Christ will help many people.
He is moved with compassion for you today. He is walking close by you today and sees you in your need. He does not need the rich or the government to help Him. He has given you many promises of hope in His precious Word. He has given you His spoken Word through His ministers and teachers. He has given you the personal power of prayer that can reach His ears. “I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my requests. Because He has inclined His ear unto me, therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live” (Psalms 116:1-2).
Not only does our Lord and Savior have compassion on you, but He wants you to have compassion on others. He wants you to be His hands and feet and mouth to express His love to others. He wants you to visit the sick and discouraged. He wants you to “pray for one another that you might be healed.” He wants you to teach and share His Word with others. He wants you to feed the hungry. “As much as you have done it unto to the least of these, you have done it unto Me.”
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