The Compassion Of Jesus
We just celebrated Thanksgiving. Who or what did you thank? I’ve heard people thank “mother earth” or trees or other things like these. But who did you thank on Thanksgiving? Did you thank God? The one true God of the Bible? I am very thankful to God for my wife, family, friends, home, vehicles, job and so much more and I thank my Heavenly Father for these things. I also especially thank God for the compassion of Jesus. Jesus was very compassionate when He walked this earth 2,000 years ago. And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him (Jesus), saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But 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). Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, 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 fasting, lest they faint in the way (Matthew 15:32). This was when Jesus fed 4,000 men, plus women and children.
Have Mercy On Us O Lord
And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? They say 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).
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not (Matthew 23:37)! But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth (Psalm 86:15). And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. 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. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother (Luke 7:11-15).
Lazarus Come Forth
Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled. And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!
And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go (John 11:32-44).
Jesus The Merciful And Faithful High Priest
And again, I will put my trust in him (Jesus). And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him (Jesus) to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted (Hebrews 2:13-18).
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30). Folks, I have quoted many Bible verses tonight about the compassion of Jesus because Jesus is a compassionate Lord. Again, He says come to Him and He will give you rest. The Lord Jesus also says come all who are thirsty and He will give you of the fountain of life freely (Revelation 21:6).
Life And Death
Tonight, life and death are set before you. Choose life. We have all sinned against God. You and I deserve death. We deserve the second death which is eternal torments for our rebellion against Almighty God. But God demonstrated His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Do not foolishly die in your sins and go to Hell where you will suffer unimaginable pain for all eternity. Do no perish is your sins. Don’t die outside of Christ Jesus. Instead, come to Jesus and be saved. Don’t suffer God’s eternal wrath over your rebellion against God. Instead, receive the compassion of the Lord. Repent of your sins and surrender your life to Jesus. Come to Jesus and be saved. Turn to Christ and live.
Salvation is found in Christ alone. Jesus healed the sick and raised the dead when He walked this earth 2,000 years ago. He’s still raising dead people today. One little white lie is enough to separate you from the love of God for all eternity. But let’s face it. We’ve all done so much worse than one little white lie. That’s why we need a Savior. That’s why we need the compassion of Jesus. Oh, I quoted many Bible verses about the compassion of Jesus tonight. But not only have I read about His compassion; I have personally experienced this same compassion. Thirteen years ago, Jesus brought this spiritually dead man to life and my life has never been the same.
Even though I was a rebel, a person who professed Jesus with my lips while my heart was far from Him, the Lord took compassion on me. God revealed what a wretched sinner I was and how Holy God really is and how Jesus is the only Savior. I had lied, lusted, stolen, dishonored God, dishonored my parents, was a drunkard and sexually immoral person. But God demonstrated His love toward me and Jesus showed me compassion by granting me repentance toward God and giving me faith in Jesus.
Same Compassion Can Do The Same For You
This same Jesus who showed compassion to me can do the same for you. He’s still bringing spiritually dead people to life. But you must come to God His way, through Jesus alone. Godly sorrow works repentance to salvation (2 Corinthians 7:10). You need recognize that you have offended our Holy God. Cry out for God to save you. Come to the Lord through repentance and faith. We are to have repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ our Lord (Acts 20:21).
I’m pleading with you to repent of your sins and put your faith in Jesus. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Every knee will bow to King Jesus. You either willingly bow now in this life and receive everlasting life or you will do so on Judgment Day. All who wait until Judgment Day will be cast into the lake of fire that burns forever (Revelation 21:8). Jesus came as a lamb the first time – gentle and meek. But He’s coming back the second time as a lion. In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:8). Don’t receive your just punishment. Do not die in your sins and burn in Hell forever. Instead, receive mercy, receive God’s grace. Oh, receive the compassion of Jesus and be saved. Today is the day of salvation. Repent and believe the Gospel. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and be saved. Jesus says that He will in no wise cast you out when you come to Him (John 6:37). Turn to Christ and live. Receive everlasting life.
(This message was proclaimed in downtown Springfield, MO on November 27, 2020)