Seeing Jesus' Compassion (Part 11)

This series of posts about seeing Jesus has thus far focused on the fruit of the Spirit. Seeing how Jesus displayed these qualities can both encourage believers and provide an example for them to follow. Jesus displayed other characteristics beyond the fruit of the Spirit that can also serve as an encouragement and example; one of those is compassion.

Two Greek words for compassion are used. The literal meaning of the more common one is "to have the bowels yearn." This is a feeling of pity or sympathy that comes from deep within and is palpable. The second word refers to tender mercy. True compassion not only deeply feels, but then does something in response. In fact, the second word actually has a verb form, essentially meaning to outwardly express the inward emotion. Jesus effectively acted on His compassion on many levels.

Jesus showed compassion for practical needs. He cared about something as simple and routine as a meal. His heart responded to people who had faithfully listened to Him and who did not have food nearby nor an expedient way of obtaining food. "And Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, 'I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way'" (Matthew 15:32).

Jesus regularly expressed compassion for physical needs. Much of His time was consumed with healing various diseases. In spite of this very common aspect of His ministry, Jesus never grew callous or indifferent to the individuals He contacted. Jesus felt and expressed this compassion on a grand scale. "When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick" (Matthew 14:14). Jesus expressed compassion for two blind men. "Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him" (Matthew 20:34). He showed compassion for a leper. "Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, 'I am willing; be cleansed'" (Mark 1:41). He showed compassion to a demoniac. "He said to him, 'Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you'" (Mark 5:19). Jesus even showed compassion for a foreign woman. "Then said Jesus to her, 'O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.' And her daughter was healed at once" (Matthew 15:28).

Jesus displayed compassion for emotional needs. He responded compassionately to a man who had just lost his daughter. "While He was saying these things to them, a synagogue official came and bowed down before Him, and said, 'My daughter has just died; but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live.' Jesus got up and began to follow him, and so did His disciples" (Matthew 9:18-19). Without any solicitation, His heart responded with compassion to a widow whose only son had died. "When the Lord saw her, He felt compassion for her, and said to her, 'Do not weep'" (Luke 7:13), and He raised her son to life. Jesus extends His compassion universally to all who are burdened and agitated. "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28-29).

Finally, Jesus demonstrated compassion for spiritual needs. His entire ministry was centered around compassion to sinners, something that had been prophesied regarding Him. His compassion caused Him to associate with people who were considered unsavory or even hated. "Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples. . . . But when Jesus heard this, He said, 'It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: "I desire compassion, and not sacrifice," for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners'" (Matthew 9:10-13).

Jesus showed His spiritual compassion on a personal level when He interacted with a woman caught in adultery and indicted for her sin. "Straightening up, Jesus said to her, 'Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?' She said, 'No one, Lord,' And Jesus said, 'I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more'" (John 8:11).

Jesus also showed His spiritual compassion on a widespread scale. "Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36). He responded by teaching the people and by expressing the need for more workers in the ministry. Jesus had a special compassion for the Jewish people, expressing His heart-felt yearning to protect and bless them. "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling" (Matthew 23:37).

These examples are merely highlights of Jesus' compassion, incidents clearly or specifically attributed to His compassion. In reality, Jesus exhibited compassion every day and in countless ways. In each case His compassion led to action: provision of food, healing, comforting words, resurrections, selfless ministry, assurances of forgiveness, and spiritual instruction. Jesus deeply felt the needs of others and He "compassioned" to assuage those needs.

"Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust" (Psalm 103:13-14).