Show Compassion Like Jesus

John 11:35

Introduction.

  1. With all that’s been going on lately, we could all use some more compassion.

  2. Compassion is what happens when one desires to do good works properly motivated by love (Heb. 10:24).

  3. Define:

    1. Greek: σπλαγχνίζομαι – “to be moved as to one’s bowels, hence to be moved with compassion, have compassion (for the bowels were thought to be the seat of love and pity).”

    2. English: “sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with the desire to alleviate it.” – motivated by love leading to good works.

  4. What better example of compassion can we have than that of our Lord Jesus!

  5. Here are some instances where Christ showed compassion and what we can learn from it.

    1. At the death of a friend.

    2. At the suffering of others.

    3. At the lack of sound leadership.

Body.

  1. At the death of a friend (John 11:35).

    1. There is much that is packed into those two words: “Jesus wept” (shed tears/wept silently).

    2. Think of the magnitude of that statement.

      1. He was crying because His friend had died.

      2. Yet He was the Christ, the Son of God – He knew of Lazarus’ outcome.

      3. He may have been God, but He was also Man.

      4. God the Son showed the same emotions that we do—He is an emotional Being!

      5. It is only natural for us to weep when we lose a loved one, even if we are certain of where they will end up.

    3. We might weep with compassion when we want to do something, but we are unable to help, or we don’t feel like we can do enough.

      1. When a loved one is sick, you can only do so much.

      2. You might be able to feed them, bring their medicine, or take them to the doctor if they need it—these things we can do!

      3. But when you know they’re in pain, you wish you could wave a magic wand or perform a miracle and have it all taken away.

    4. Jesus had the power, and He did bring Lazarus back from the dead—His compassion motivated Him to act!

  2. At the suffering of others (Matt 14:14 [sickness]; 15:32 [hunger]).

    1. Upon hearing of the death of His cousin, John the Baptist, He sought solitude (14:13).

    2. The people would not allow it, yet He was still “moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick” (14:14).

      1. Sometimes, when we want to be left alone, we might get upset when bothered.

      2. Maybe Jesus was annoyed, but He didn’t let that keep Him from helping people.

      3. We don’t know the details of these sick individuals, but we do know that Jesus showed great compassion in healing them.

    3. After this, He feeds them, 5000 men plus women and children.

    4. But it isn’t until the feeding of the 4000 that Jesus Himself offers His motivation.

      1. In Matt 15, as in Matt 14, Jesus is healing many people (15:30-31).

      2. There is a difference: here, they had been with Him for three days (before, it was only until evening).

      3. These people were so hungry, Jesus feared they would faint along the way.

      4. Out of compassion for these hungry people, Jesus feeds them miraculously, 4000 men plus woman and children.

    5. While we do not have the miraculous abilities Jesus had, there are still things we can do for the sick and the hungry.

      1. We have the backpack program that we donate to. Let’s make it a regular addition to our budget.

      2. If you know someone who is suffering or in need, bring them a casserole or a plate of food—we all need food!

      3. Write them notes in cards or on social media, text or call.

      4. Plan ahead—always have something in your budget to give to those who have need.

      5. Compassion can take sacrifice, such as the much-desired solitude Jesus’ sought.

  3. At the lack of sound leadership (Mark 6:34; Matt 9:36-38).

    1. After John’s death, Matthew records that Jesus healed people, but Mark records that He did something else, also moved by compassion.

    2. Mark records another reason for Christ’s compassion: “they were like sheep not having a shepherd” (6:34).

      1. Shepherdless sheep tend to go off and do their own thing, often to their destruction.

      2. They will get stuck in briars, starve, eat poisonous plants, get picked off by predators.

      3. People are similar: without proper guidance, we could all merrily jump off a cliff.

    3. Jesus’ solution was to “teach them many things.”

      1. We now have the Scriptures that contain His teachings.

      2. We can teach people the truth of God’s Word.

      3. We ought to have compassion for those who are lost.

      4. That compassion ought to motivate us to “teach them many things” from Scripture.

      5. Let us be the laborers that are an answer to the prayers to the Lord of the harvest (Matt 9:36-38).

Conclusion.

  1. Jesus was a Man of great compassion. His compassion was for:

    1. Those who had died.

    2. Those who were suffering.

    3. Those who did not have sound leadership—this could lead their souls to hell.

  2. Let us have such a compassion for people that we might be stirred up to do something about the problems in this world.

  3. Let us especially work to save souls, and bring them to the Chief Shepherd, Christ.

  4. If you are in need to respond to the invitation, He will hear you (Lam. 3:31-33).

    1. Just as Jeremiah is writing this about the fall of Jerusalem, he reminds them that the Lord shows compassion.

    2. He doesn’t want to cause us harm, but to help us.

    3. Will you obey Him tonight and repent?