Jesus and Compassion
Jesus is the embodiment of God's compassion, and we are called to be a part of His compassionate heart to the world.
David Wilkerson emphasizes that Jesus exemplified God's compassion during His earthly ministry, often moved by the suffering of the people around Him. He reflects on the grief in Christ's heart today due to the ongoing suffering in the world, asserting that God is not indifferent but deeply cares for His children. Wilkerson highlights the miraculous healings Jesus performed, showcasing His willingness to help those in need, and encourages believers to embody this compassion in their own lives. He urges that by presenting ourselves to God, we can be instruments of His compassion and witness the needs around us.
Text
During His time on earth, Jesus was the embodiment of God's compassion. Scripture frequently tells us that Christ was "moved with compassion" by the suffering of the people (see Mark 6:34, 8:2). If that was the case in the first century, what grief must be in our Lord's heart now.
I believe it is all God can do to restrain Himself from moving in before the end of time and putting an end to it all. I will never believe He is just some benign spirit who sits in heaven, unmoved by the horrible spirits loose in this world. No -- He is a compassionate Father who agonizes over His suffering children.
The Bible tells us: "His compassions fail not" (Lamentations 3:22). "Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth" (Psalm 86:15).
We read of an incredible scene: "Great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them" (Matthew 15:30).
Can you imagine this scene? All around Jesus, hundreds of afflicted people were sitting and lying on the ground -- little children too sick to sit up, people crying aloud for help, groaning in pain, fevered, demon-possessed, diseased, despairing.
Jesus did not turn them away. He performed miracles of healing and deliverance. The dumb spoke, the crippled leaped, the blind saw, the sick and diseased suddenly were made whole. And with every healing, the people pressed in even closer. I imagine the people picking up their sick children and pushing forward -- as the disciples struggled to keep order.
These people had been out in the wilderness for three days without food and they were fainting from hunger. That's when Jesus said, "I have compassion on the multitude . . . and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way" (Matthew 15:32).
God wants every one of us to be a part of His compassionate heart to the world. If you are willing to do that, He will send the needs to your doorstep. Present yourself to the Lord to be used and He will open doors to you. Then you will truly know His heart of compassion.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Compassion of Jesus
- A. Jesus was moved with compassion by the suffering of the people (Mark 6:34, 8:2)
- B. Jesus' compassion is not limited to the past, but is still active today
- II. The Character of God
- A. God is a God of compassion, gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth (Psalm 86:15)
- B. God's compassions fail not (Lamentations 3:22)
- III. The Call to Compassion
- A. We are called to be a part of God's compassionate heart to the world
- B. God wants to use us to meet the needs of others
Key Quotes
“I believe it is all God can do to restrain Himself from moving in before the end of time and putting an end to it all.” — David Wilkerson
“His compassions fail not.” — David Wilkerson
“Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- We can be a part of God's compassionate heart by being willing to meet the needs of others.
- God wants to use us to meet the needs of others, and He will send the needs to our doorstep if we are willing.
- We can know God's heart of compassion by being open to the needs of others and by being willing to do what He asks us to do.