ScriptureWay
  • Home
  • Site Overview
  • Author
  • Resources
    • Bible Verses about the Angel of the Lord in the Old Testament
    • Bible Verses About Courage
    • Bible Verses About the Cross
    • Bible Verses About Eternal Life
    • Bible Verses About Humility and Being Humble
    • Bible Verses - "I AM"s of Christ
    • Bible Verses about Music
    • Bible Verses About Old Age and Gray Hair
    • Bible Verses about Paradise
    • Bible Verses About Sound Speech
    • Bible Verses for Times of Crisis
    • 29 BIble Verses About Trusting God
    • 11 Bible Verses About Waiting for the Lord
    • Bible Study Tools
    • Whitneytunes Music Videos
    • Whitneytunes Worship Music
  • The Way to Heaven

Bible Teachings

The Compassion of Jesus

8/23/2020

1 Comment

 
by Mr. Whitney V. Myers
Download a printable PDF of this post.
Sea of Galilee North Shore - 123RF Photo - Used under license
Sea of Galilee North Shore - 123RF Photo - Used under license
"When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things." (Mark 6:34, underline added)

This lesson explains Jesus' attribute of compassion towards people – multitudes and individuals.  Jesus not only sympathizes with people, but also acts to alleviate their distress.

     Consider.   As Jesus' followers, we, too, should show compassion to people, including those outside the faith community.

Definition of Compassion

     Before we dive into the scriptures, let's take a look at the meaning of the word, compassion.

The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines compassion as "sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it" (Ref. 1).  Note the combination of sympathetic awareness of other's distress coupled with action to do something to help them.

In the New Testament, the words, feel compassion, literally mean "to have the bowels yearn" (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, Ref. 2).  In the New Testament time of Jesus' ministry, people thought that our "nobler entrails" (such as the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys) were the seat of our affections
(Ref. 2).

Jesus Feels Compassion for the Multitudes

     The scriptures tell us that when Jesus saw the multitudes of people coming to him he felt compassion for them.  Why?  Jesus was moved with compassion for them because he saw them "as sheep without a shepherd."  Mark 6:34 tells us, "When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things."  Matthew 9:36 is similar, and tells us, "Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd."

Jesus felt compassion for the crowds coming to him because they were a flock that had no protection, no "pasture," no spiritual teaching or guidance, and were in a distressing, painful condition (Ref. 3).  They were uncared-for souls, outside of the synagogues of their time.  They were weary and hopeless without the Guide and Shepherd who alone can lead them in the way (Ref. 4). 

Likewise today, Jesus feels compassion for people who are outside of the faith community, who do not know him as their Good Shepherd, and who are suffering through spiritual misery (John 10:1, 9, 11; Ref. 5).  People need to know the compassion of Jesus Christ for them, to have their needs met, and to come to Jesus as their Good Shepherd.  That's where we as Jesus' followers can help them.


Jesus Shows Us Specific Ways to Act with Compassion Towards Groups of People

     The gospel writers give us examples of how Jesus acted when he was moved with compassion for the multitudes.  We, as Jesus' followers, can and should do the same.

He welcomed them - "But the crowds were aware of this and followed Him; and welcoming them, He began speaking to them about the kingdom of God and curing those who had need of healing" (Luke 9:11).

He fed them - "And Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, 'I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way'" (Matthew 15:32).  "And He took the seven loaves and the fish; and giving thanks, He broke them and started giving them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
  (37) And they all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, seven large baskets full" (Matthew 15:36-37).

He healed the sick - "When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick" (Matthew 14:14).

He taught them many things - "When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things" (Mark 6:34).


Jesus Feels Compassion for Individuals

     The following accounts describe the compassion Jesus felt for specific people, and the action he took to heal or comfort them.

Jesus touches and cleanses a man from leprosy - "And a leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, 'If You are willing, You can make me clean.'  (41) Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, 'I am willing; be cleansed.'  (42) Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed" (Mark 1:40-42).

Jesus touches and provides sight to blind men - "And two blind men sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, 'Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!'  (31) The crowd sternly told them to be quiet, but they cried out all the more, 'Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!'  (32) And Jesus stopped and called them, and said, 'What do you want Me to do for you?'  (33) They said to Him, 'Lord, we want our eyes to be opened.'  (34) Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him" (Matthew 20:30-34).

Jesus comforts a grieving mother - "Soon afterwards He went to a city called Nain; and His disciples were going along with Him, accompanied by a large crowd.  (12) Now as He approached the gate of the city, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a sizeable crowd from the city was with her.  (13) When the Lord saw her, He felt compassion for her, and said to her, 'Do not weep.'  (14) And He came up and touched the coffin; and the bearers came to a halt.  And He said, 'Young man, I say to you, arise!'  (15) The dead man sat up and began to speak.  And Jesus gave him back to his mother" (Luke 7:11-15).

Summary - Main Principles in this Lesson


1.  Compassion not only includes feeling sympathy for people, but also a desire to take action to alleviate their distress.
2.  Jesus modeled compassion for us - in his interaction with crowds of distressed people and with individuals in need.  Often, the people Jesus helped were outside of the "faith community" of Jesus' day.
3.  Jesus showed his compassion for people by his actions.  Specifically:
  • He welcomed people
  • He fed people
  • He touched and healed the sick
  • He comforted the grieving
  • He taught people many things
4.  As Jesus' followers we should view people with the same compassion as Jesus, and take action to welcome them and to alleviate their distress.

     Apply.  As a follower of Jesus, what are ways that you will show the compassion of Jesus to others through your actions?

References
1.  https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compassion
2.  https://biblehub.com/greek/4697.htm
3.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/meyer/matthew/9.htm
4.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/maclaren/matthew/9.htm
5.  https://www.scriptureway.com/home/jesus-is-the-good-shepherd

1 Comment
Van
8/25/2020 06:51:12 pm

Another great lesson where Jesus models the way we should behave.
Thanks

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Daily Bible Verse

    (Published on my Bluesky account)

    Author

    Mr. Whitney V. Myers.  Christian.  For more information, please visit the Author Page.

    Posting Schedule

    I plan to provide new postings about once a month.

    Planned Topics

    (subject to change)
    19May25 - "Where Does Your Soul Go When You Die?" (Genesis 35:18)

    Recent Posts

    (most recent three months)
    23Feb25 - "The Goodness of the Lord - Psalm 27:13 Meaning"
    2Feb25 - "Repent and Believe the Gospel - Mark 1:15 Meaning"

    Popular Posts

    (top 10)
    13Jan19 - "Bible Verses About the Cross" (1 Corinthians 1:18)
    31May22 - "11 Reasons Why Jesus Came into the World" (John 3:17)
    3June18 - "What Does 'The Way' Mean in the New Testament?" (Matthew 7:13-14)
    25Aug19 - "Characteristics of a Child of God - Part 1" (Matthew 7:16)
    11Apr21 - "What Is Redemption?" (Ephesians 1:7)
    27Jan19 - "Bible Verses - 'I AM's of Christ'" (John 8:12)
    12Feb21 - "Bible Verses About Paradise" (Luke 23:43)
    11Aug22 - "What is Living Water in the Bible?" (John 4:10)
    24Nov19 - "Fear Nots of Jesus" (Mark 6:50)
    9Feb20 - "Come, Now, Let Us Reason Together (Isaiah 1:18)"

    Categories

    All
    About The Life
    About The Truth
    About The Way - Section 1
    Acceptance
    Adoption
    Advent
    Affliction
    Amen
    Angel Of The Lord
    Angels
    Anxiety/Worry - Section 1
    Anxiety/Worry - Section 2
    Atonement
    Attributes Of God
    Authority
    Believe In Jesus - Section 1
    Believe In Jesus - Section 2
    Believe In Jesus - Section 3
    Believe In Jesus - Section 4
    Blessing
    Blood
    Bread
    Bruised Reed
    Burdens
    Children
    Children Of God
    Christmas
    Church
    "Comes" Of God's Word
    Comfort
    Comforter
    Commit To The Lord
    Compassion
    Confession
    Cornerstone
    Courage
    Creation
    Crisis Management
    Cross
    Crucifixion
    Defense
    Deliverance
    Devotion
    Early Church
    Empowerment
    Encouragement
    Endurance
    Eternal Life - Section 1
    Eternal Life - Section 2
    Eternal Life - Section 3
    Faith - Section 1
    Faith - Section 2
    Faith - Section 3
    Family
    Favor
    Fear
    "Fear Nots"
    Filled With The Spirit
    Focus On God
    Follow Jesus
    Food
    Forgiveness - Section 1
    Forgiveness - Section 2
    Foundation
    Friend
    Fruit
    Future Life
    Goals
    God's Care - Section 1
    God's Care - Section 2
    God's Promises
    God's Provision
    God's Will
    Good Example
    Goodness
    Gospel
    Grace
    Gray Hair
    Guidance
    Hate
    Healing - Section 1
    Healing - Section 2
    Hearing
    Heart
    Heaven
    Help
    Helper
    High Priest
    Holy Spirit - Section 1
    Holy Spirit - Section 2
    Hope
    Humility
    Hunger
    Hymn Stories - Section 1
    Hymn Stories - Section 2
    "I AM"s Of Christ - Section 1
    "I AM"s Of Christ - Section 2
    Inheritance
    Integrity
    Invitations From God
    Invitations From Jesus
    Joy
    Judgment
    Knowing Jesus
    Knowledge
    Labor
    Life
    Life After Death
    Light And Darkness
    Listening
    Living Water
    Love
    Lust
    Maturity
    Mercy
    Ministry
    Name Of Jesus
    Narrow Gate
    Needs
    New Life
    Old Age
    Paradise/Heaven
    Peace
    Persecution
    Pharisees & Scribes
    Physician
    Power
    Prayer
    Pray To Receive Christ
    Pride
    Prophecy
    Protection
    Ransom
    Redemption
    Refuge
    Renewal
    Repentance
    Rest
    Resurrection
    Righteousness
    Right Hand
    Salvation - Section 1
    Salvation - Section 2
    Savior
    Scarlet
    Second Coming
    Security
    Serving
    Sheep
    Shepherd
    Silence
    Sin & Sinners - Section 1
    Sin & Sinners - Section 2
    Son Of God
    Son Of Man
    Soul And Spirit
    Sound Speech
    Spirit Of Truth
    Spiritual Athletes
    Spiritual Gifts
    Spiritual Growth
    Storms
    Strength
    Struggles
    Sympathy
    Teaching
    Testimonies
    The Way
    The World
    Thirst
    Throne
    Tranquility
    Tree Of Life
    Trouble
    Truly Truly
    Trusting In God
    Truth
    Unclean Spirits
    Unity
    Virgin Birth
    Water
    Who Is Jesus? - Section 1
    Who Is Jesus? - Section 2
    Why Jesus Came
    Wisdom
    Witness
    Works

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    October 2024
    July 2024
    May 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018

The ScriptureWay site provides Bible Teachings that point to Jesus.   The Bible teaches that believing in Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven. 

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." -- Jesus speaking in John 14:6
​

Picture

    Follow by email

Please enter your email address to receive an email notification of new posts. After you enter your email address, please then click on this "please enter" box. Within a few seconds you should see a message confirming that your information has been submitted.

Copyright 2018-2025 Whitney V. Myers

Listed in Feedspot's 90 Best Bible Study Blogs and Websites
  • Home
  • Site Overview
  • Author
  • Resources
    • Bible Verses about the Angel of the Lord in the Old Testament
    • Bible Verses About Courage
    • Bible Verses About the Cross
    • Bible Verses About Eternal Life
    • Bible Verses About Humility and Being Humble
    • Bible Verses - "I AM"s of Christ
    • Bible Verses about Music
    • Bible Verses About Old Age and Gray Hair
    • Bible Verses about Paradise
    • Bible Verses About Sound Speech
    • Bible Verses for Times of Crisis
    • 29 BIble Verses About Trusting God
    • 11 Bible Verses About Waiting for the Lord
    • Bible Study Tools
    • Whitneytunes Music Videos
    • Whitneytunes Worship Music
  • The Way to Heaven