"Finding Out" Study3-p11

GOD IS OFTEN ACCUSED OF BEING indifferent to our suffering, so it is important to consider the compassion of God’s Son for the sick. Jesus’ compassion for those who physically suffer reveals the heart of God who sent Him.

So many came to be healed by Jesus that it must have left Him emotionally tired. There is not a single incident of a sick person coming to Jesus who was not, that very day, healed by Him. How different to those who claim to do signs and wonders today!

Most significant of all, was Jesus’ compassion for sinners. It is easy to understand how Jesus could love the sick and suffering as it was usually no fault of theirs that they were in that condition. It is astonishing, however, that He should love those who suffered for yielding to temptations they should have resisted!

SUMMARY: Compassion involves deep feelings of sympathy for those in distress. True compassion will be emotionally draining.

Jesus felt this way about the lame and blind who were forced by their condition to beg. Many instances of their healing are recorded. He also healed lepers, who were made to live in colonies away from the relatives and friends. Jesus felt compassion for all who were in distress.

Jesus had compassion on some of the worst people of His day. He understood the destructive power of sin, even though He had never sinned Himself.

Jesus was despised by self-righteous people for being a friend of sinners. The first step in salvation is to realise that we are all sinners. Even the best of us desperately need saving.