At the pool of Bethesda, Jesus stopped for a man nobody else helped. That was not the only time. All through the Gospels, Jesus looked at hurting people and was moved with compassion.
What compassion is. Compassion means feeling sorry for someone so deeply that you do something to help. It is love that moves.
God is like this. “The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy” (Psalm 145:8). Jesus shows us exactly what God is like.
Sheep without a shepherd. One day a huge crowd ran ahead to meet Jesus. Jesus “saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd” (Mark 6:34).
Tired, but kind. Jesus and His friends had gone to rest, and “they did not even have time to eat” (Mark 6:31). Jesus did not send the crowd away. “So He began to teach them many things” (Mark 6:34).
Lost and tired. Matthew tells us that Jesus felt compassion for crowds who were tired and scattered, like sheep with no one to lead them (Matthew 9:36). Jesus cares about people who feel lost.
He healed their sick. Another time Jesus saw a great crowd, felt compassion for them and healed the sick people among them (Matthew 14:14).
A funeral at Nain. Near the town of Nain, Jesus met a funeral. The man who had died was “the only son of his mother; and she was a widow” (Luke 7:12). A widow is a woman whose husband has died.
“Do not weep.” “When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, ‘Do not weep’” (Luke 7:13). Jesus noticed her tears before anyone asked Him for anything.
“Arise.” Jesus touched the coffin and said, “Young man, I say to you, arise” (Luke 7:14). The young man sat up, and Jesus “presented him to his mother” (Luke 7:15).
A father who runs. In one of His stories, Jesus told about a son who came home after running away. “His father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him” (Luke 15:20). That is how God welcomes sinners who come home.
The Good Shepherd. Jesus is the Shepherd those crowds needed. “The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” (John 10:11). His compassion took Him all the way to the cross.
What we learn. Jesus is not cold or far away. He sees people who hurt, and His heart is moved to help them.
What to do. When you see someone who is sad or left out, ask Jesus to give you His compassion. Then do one kind thing to help.
Jesus did not heal people from far away like a busy doctor. Again and again He came close, touched people and spoke kindly to them.
A man no one touched. A man with leprosy came to Jesus and said, “If You are willing, You can make me clean” (Mark 1:40). Leprosy was a skin disease. People who had it had to live apart from everyone else.
Jesus touched him. “Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I am willing; be cleansed’” (Mark 1:41). It may have been years since anyone had touched that man.
Clean at once. “As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed” (Mark 1:42).
A woman in the crowd. A woman had been sick for twelve years and “could not be healed by any” doctor (Luke 8:43). She touched the edge of Jesus' clothes, “and immediately her flow of blood stopped” (Luke 8:44).
“Daughter.” Jesus stopped to find her. He said, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace” (Luke 8:48). He healed her body, and He called her daughter.
A father's fear. Jairus' little girl was dying. Then a messenger came and said, “Your daughter is dead” (Luke 8:49). Jesus told Jairus, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well” (Luke 8:50).
“Little girl, arise.” Jesus “took her by the hand and called, saying, ‘Little girl, arise’” (Luke 8:54). She got up right away, and Jesus told her parents to give her something to eat (Luke 8:55).
He carried our sorrows. Long before, Isaiah wrote about the Savior: “Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows” (Isaiah 53:4). Jesus did not stay away from our pain. He came right into it.
Love that gives everything. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends” (John 15:13). On the cross He gave His life to take away our sin.
Still the same. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). He still hears us when we pray for people who are sick. Sometimes He heals them now, and He is always kind and good.
Our turn. “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). Tenderhearted means having a soft, caring heart.
What we learn. Jesus came close to people others stayed away from. He touched them, healed them and spoke to them with love.
What to do. Think of someone who might feel left out: a new student, a sick neighbor or a lonely grandparent. Visit them, write them a card or pray for them this week.
Complete all sections to finish!
Read each section and answer the questions correctly.