I think one of the greatest characteristics of Jesus I like is His ability to be compassionate with everyone He met. I do no know about you, but the older I get the less I like people with tattoos all over their body, face and tongue piercings, all of the other body piercing, and the Christians who are just knuckle heads, who expect me to forgive them again and again for their actions when they know better. It seems as I get older I do not want to be bothered with the insanity of people, praying for them is enough for me, but that was not the case with Jesus. No matter where Jesus went the Bible says He was moved to compassion for the people, which tells me either our heart is either filled with compassion or it is filled with other things. Strange how our heart can be filled or not filled with things and we not even know it.
In the Book of Matthew we read an amazing account of the compassion that Jesus had in His heart, “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom (both teaching and preaching there is a difference), and healing every sickness and every disease (both sickness and disease, there is a difference) among the people. 36But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.” (Matthew 9:35-36) Jesus really liked people. Jesus liked people more than He did traveling, religion, ministry, preaching, teaching, healing the sick and the diseased. I wonder why we think these things are more important than people? People were Jesus’ one focus on earth. I think it is high time for the church to get back to what Jesus thought was important, people. In verse 36 it says after doing all of the things in verse 35, “but when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion.” Traveling the world in ministry, preaching, teaching, healing the sick and the diseased will never be more important than having compassion for people, I know I have done both. Who really cares how big your church building is, how many people attend your services, or who was healed when you prayed for them, all of that does not matter to God, God does not care about all of the trappings and window dressings we think are important, He really does not. God is after the things of the heart, the Spirit, even the secret things of our soul. We really need to get this in our spirit, the outward Christian appearance and form does not matter. God is looking for the Christian to beat his breast and say, “have mercy on me a sinner.” God is looking for a dedicated selfless humble pastor who is faithful to do the work God has given to him and care for, to the best of his ability, the folks God has brought his way. Again in Matthew we read, “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. 15And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, this is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.” (Matthew 14:14-15) Again Jesus seeing the multitude of people was moved with compassion. The reason Jesus was moved with compassion was so that He could meet the need of the people. I like that so much I am going to say it again, the reason Jesus was moved with compassion was so that He could meet the need of the people. Compassion always meets the need of people. “But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. 17And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. 18 He said, Bring them hither to me. 19And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. 20And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.” (Matthew 14:16-20) I am sure the disciples were quite shocked when Jesus told them to give up their five loaves and two fishes. I can imagine hearing the disciples say, “but Lord this is our lunch.” I guess they did not have compassion in their heart because Jesus had to intervene to meet the need. When Jesus spoke I believe the disciples could have blessed the food and fed the multitude, but they lacked the compassion. They had the faith, they heard Jesus say, “They need not depart, ye give them to eat” after all faith (Romans 10:17) cometh by hearing. They clearly heard Jesus speak, yet they could not do what Jesus asked them to do. When God speaks and we hear we have all of the faith we will ever need to do that which he has asked us to do. I think this was not a question of faith, but more a question of compassion. In Luke we read another time Jesus was moved with compassion to meet the need. “Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. 13And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. 14And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 15And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.” (Luke 7:12-15) What I like about this story is how Jesus met the need. Jesus did not go to the mother and console her or tell her how bad life has treated her; losing a husband and her only son which is a big deal in the Jewish culture. Oh no, Jesus told her “weep not” (stop crying) and spoke to the dead son, “Young man, I say unto thee Arise.” Can you imagine the reaction of the people standing by? How could a man speak to the dead and they come back to life? Jesus met the need in a supernatural way and why? “And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. 17And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.” (Luke 14:16-17) I like the way verse 15 ends, “And he delivered him to his mother.” Jesus did not even talk to the woman, only met her need. I think we would have counseled her now saying, “if it be God’s will He will raise your son from the dead” or prayed this long verbose prayer trying to get God to feel sorry for us and save us and His name from shame, but no Jesus just spoke to him, raised him from the dead, and gave him back to his mom. What compassion. Did you know it is easier to counsel or do the religious church questionnaire (where do you live? do you smoke tobacco? drink alcohol?, do you do illegal drugs? will you come to our church?, etc.) and arm twisting then to meet the need of someone?
Now please do not make the mistake to think love is compassion, love is love and compassion is compassion. Often we make this mistake and confuse the situation and hinder what God wants to happen. Peter said, “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9) Here Peter gives us a list of things we are to have for the brethren and those lost in their sin. Please notice compassion; Strong’s #4841, to suffer or to feel pain together, while love here in this verse is; Strong’s # 5361, in a broader sense, loving one like a brother, loving one’s fellow countrymen. Now this also is not the Greek word Agape; Strong’s #25 to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly or to dedicate yourself towards someone but, is a brotherly type of love. Compassion is compassion and love is love. In 1 John we read, “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:17-18) Also please know mercy is not compassion. Mercy is mercy and compassion is compassion. In Romans Paul shares with us, “For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy (Strong’s #1653, to help one afflicted or seeking aid or to help the afflicted, to bring help to the wretched), and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” (Romans 9:15) We must never get these words confused. It is interesting (and surprising) to know mercy is much closer to compassion than love is. I am not sure which of the three (compassion, love, and mercy) words is more important, I guess it depends on what side of the word you are standing; giving or needing.
When the word of God comes to us one of the properties of the word of God is it acts as a mirror to show us what is in our heart. And until we allow the word of God to come to us we will see life in a very selfish and self-centered way, but when Holy Spirit comes to us through word of God and shines His revelation light it will illuminate mind and thoughts and we will be able to sort of see what is in our heart. The more we allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate our mind and thoughts the more we will know as we are known by our friends and enemies. One of the greatest revelations we can receive from God is who we really are as compared to him and how others see us. This, my friend, will really scare you and bring you to your knees, which is God’s idea. Paul shared this thought with the Church in Corinth when he said, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12) Strange how we live our lives thinking we are better than what we really are or thinking we are something or someone we are not. But if we allow the Holy Spirit to open our mind and thoughts He will be faithful to show us the truth about ourselves. And when we look deep into the face of the truth we will see how much we are NOT like Christ. I guess when we see (understand) something in Christ it often reveals a short coming in our lives. For example I really like how compassionate Jesus was while on earth, thus this truth reflects a lack of compassion in me. I saw this when my father died. My father’s death has had a great impact in my life I can even see that in my writing. For the last few years I have had little to no compassion for my brothers and sisters. Love and mercy was there, but compassion was not in my heart. They have greatly disappointed Karen and I walking away from the Lord not to mention some heinous things that have been said and done to me and our kids. These things still need to be reconciled so Karen and I are keeping them in our hearts, yet still open before the Lord. But when we went up to the hospital to see my father a few days before he died, unexplainably God dropped compassion in my heart for them I previously never had. I guess it was born out of a heart desiring reconciliation and a heart that was hurting from the sting of the up coming death of my earthly father. I really felt sorry for them, the wrong that was perpetrated against us was still there, but for now the compassion God dropped in my heart was enough to get us through my father’s death, the funeral, and a beginning to mend hearts, ours included. I know Paul said, of the three (faith, hope, and charity (or love)) the greatest is love (1 Corinthinas13:13), well I think Paul was comparing the word characters of God we must possess. But I am not sure how that verse and Chapter would have ended if mercy and especially compassion was added to the list. Written by David Stahl
In the Book of Matthew we read an amazing account of the compassion that Jesus had in His heart, “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom (both teaching and preaching there is a difference), and healing every sickness and every disease (both sickness and disease, there is a difference) among the people. 36But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.” (Matthew 9:35-36) Jesus really liked people. Jesus liked people more than He did traveling, religion, ministry, preaching, teaching, healing the sick and the diseased. I wonder why we think these things are more important than people? People were Jesus’ one focus on earth. I think it is high time for the church to get back to what Jesus thought was important, people. In verse 36 it says after doing all of the things in verse 35, “but when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion.” Traveling the world in ministry, preaching, teaching, healing the sick and the diseased will never be more important than having compassion for people, I know I have done both. Who really cares how big your church building is, how many people attend your services, or who was healed when you prayed for them, all of that does not matter to God, God does not care about all of the trappings and window dressings we think are important, He really does not. God is after the things of the heart, the Spirit, even the secret things of our soul. We really need to get this in our spirit, the outward Christian appearance and form does not matter. God is looking for the Christian to beat his breast and say, “have mercy on me a sinner.” God is looking for a dedicated selfless humble pastor who is faithful to do the work God has given to him and care for, to the best of his ability, the folks God has brought his way. Again in Matthew we read, “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. 15And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, this is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.” (Matthew 14:14-15) Again Jesus seeing the multitude of people was moved with compassion. The reason Jesus was moved with compassion was so that He could meet the need of the people. I like that so much I am going to say it again, the reason Jesus was moved with compassion was so that He could meet the need of the people. Compassion always meets the need of people. “But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. 17And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. 18 He said, Bring them hither to me. 19And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. 20And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.” (Matthew 14:16-20) I am sure the disciples were quite shocked when Jesus told them to give up their five loaves and two fishes. I can imagine hearing the disciples say, “but Lord this is our lunch.” I guess they did not have compassion in their heart because Jesus had to intervene to meet the need. When Jesus spoke I believe the disciples could have blessed the food and fed the multitude, but they lacked the compassion. They had the faith, they heard Jesus say, “They need not depart, ye give them to eat” after all faith (Romans 10:17) cometh by hearing. They clearly heard Jesus speak, yet they could not do what Jesus asked them to do. When God speaks and we hear we have all of the faith we will ever need to do that which he has asked us to do. I think this was not a question of faith, but more a question of compassion. In Luke we read another time Jesus was moved with compassion to meet the need. “Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. 13And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. 14And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 15And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.” (Luke 7:12-15) What I like about this story is how Jesus met the need. Jesus did not go to the mother and console her or tell her how bad life has treated her; losing a husband and her only son which is a big deal in the Jewish culture. Oh no, Jesus told her “weep not” (stop crying) and spoke to the dead son, “Young man, I say unto thee Arise.” Can you imagine the reaction of the people standing by? How could a man speak to the dead and they come back to life? Jesus met the need in a supernatural way and why? “And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. 17And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.” (Luke 14:16-17) I like the way verse 15 ends, “And he delivered him to his mother.” Jesus did not even talk to the woman, only met her need. I think we would have counseled her now saying, “if it be God’s will He will raise your son from the dead” or prayed this long verbose prayer trying to get God to feel sorry for us and save us and His name from shame, but no Jesus just spoke to him, raised him from the dead, and gave him back to his mom. What compassion. Did you know it is easier to counsel or do the religious church questionnaire (where do you live? do you smoke tobacco? drink alcohol?, do you do illegal drugs? will you come to our church?, etc.) and arm twisting then to meet the need of someone?
Now please do not make the mistake to think love is compassion, love is love and compassion is compassion. Often we make this mistake and confuse the situation and hinder what God wants to happen. Peter said, “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9) Here Peter gives us a list of things we are to have for the brethren and those lost in their sin. Please notice compassion; Strong’s #4841, to suffer or to feel pain together, while love here in this verse is; Strong’s # 5361, in a broader sense, loving one like a brother, loving one’s fellow countrymen. Now this also is not the Greek word Agape; Strong’s #25 to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly or to dedicate yourself towards someone but, is a brotherly type of love. Compassion is compassion and love is love. In 1 John we read, “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:17-18) Also please know mercy is not compassion. Mercy is mercy and compassion is compassion. In Romans Paul shares with us, “For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy (Strong’s #1653, to help one afflicted or seeking aid or to help the afflicted, to bring help to the wretched), and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” (Romans 9:15) We must never get these words confused. It is interesting (and surprising) to know mercy is much closer to compassion than love is. I am not sure which of the three (compassion, love, and mercy) words is more important, I guess it depends on what side of the word you are standing; giving or needing.
When the word of God comes to us one of the properties of the word of God is it acts as a mirror to show us what is in our heart. And until we allow the word of God to come to us we will see life in a very selfish and self-centered way, but when Holy Spirit comes to us through word of God and shines His revelation light it will illuminate mind and thoughts and we will be able to sort of see what is in our heart. The more we allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate our mind and thoughts the more we will know as we are known by our friends and enemies. One of the greatest revelations we can receive from God is who we really are as compared to him and how others see us. This, my friend, will really scare you and bring you to your knees, which is God’s idea. Paul shared this thought with the Church in Corinth when he said, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12) Strange how we live our lives thinking we are better than what we really are or thinking we are something or someone we are not. But if we allow the Holy Spirit to open our mind and thoughts He will be faithful to show us the truth about ourselves. And when we look deep into the face of the truth we will see how much we are NOT like Christ. I guess when we see (understand) something in Christ it often reveals a short coming in our lives. For example I really like how compassionate Jesus was while on earth, thus this truth reflects a lack of compassion in me. I saw this when my father died. My father’s death has had a great impact in my life I can even see that in my writing. For the last few years I have had little to no compassion for my brothers and sisters. Love and mercy was there, but compassion was not in my heart. They have greatly disappointed Karen and I walking away from the Lord not to mention some heinous things that have been said and done to me and our kids. These things still need to be reconciled so Karen and I are keeping them in our hearts, yet still open before the Lord. But when we went up to the hospital to see my father a few days before he died, unexplainably God dropped compassion in my heart for them I previously never had. I guess it was born out of a heart desiring reconciliation and a heart that was hurting from the sting of the up coming death of my earthly father. I really felt sorry for them, the wrong that was perpetrated against us was still there, but for now the compassion God dropped in my heart was enough to get us through my father’s death, the funeral, and a beginning to mend hearts, ours included. I know Paul said, of the three (faith, hope, and charity (or love)) the greatest is love (1 Corinthinas13:13), well I think Paul was comparing the word characters of God we must possess. But I am not sure how that verse and Chapter would have ended if mercy and especially compassion was added to the list. Written by David Stahl
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