He saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. —Matthew 14:14
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus’ compassion for people went beyond simply observing their suffering; it also moved Him to act. He approached the needy, touched them, healed them, ate with them, and went with them to their place of need. Compassion motivated His preaching of the gospel. He fed those who were hungry (Matt. 15:32). He wept with those who mourned (John 11).
The Lord’s compassion wasn’t impersonal. When He healed the sick, He fulfilled the word that God had spoken through the prophet Isaiah: He Himself took our infirmities and bore our diseases (Matt. 8:16–17).
Jesus gave us a complete welcome into His life, not only allowing us to bring our pain to Him but also entering into our suffering. The Lord of glory has appropriated our infirmities. His hospitality to us was the ultimate expression of His compassion.
Compassion is love with skin. It helps us to understand another person’s life and show them a love that has hands, feet, and tears. That was the love Christ showed us.
Make it Personal
What are some tangible ways you can respond to people around you with compassion and show them the love of Christ?