Compassion

1. What is compassion? Matthew 9:35-38

• Verse 36 of today’s text reads: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” So Jesus had compassion. But what is it?

• Definitions for compassion include feeling sorrow for someone, being sympathetic and being concerned for the welfare of others.

• Compassion has also been described as entering into the suffering of others.

2. Jesus had much Compassion He Recognized another’s suffering

• Jesus had compassion on a Leper 41Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" 42Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. Jesus touched a dead man because of his mother’s sorrow . 13When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry." he and touched the coffin, "Young man, I say to you, Arise and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

• Jesus loved Jerusalem so much he wept over the city Because he knew what Jerusalem would do they would reject, crucified, Not believe, But yet he would die for Jerusalem

3. Jesus is moved (Stirred, Stimulated, Motivated) with Compassion Having feelings for another’s suffering

• In verse 36, Jesus is moved to compassion when he looks out at the crowds

• Jesus is so moved He goes through every town and village

• Jesus is so moved He Teaches in synagogues and preaches Good News of the Kingdom

• Jesus is so moved that he heals every disease and sickness

4. Jesus searches for those who Need Compassion (Mindfulness of Other’s Needs)

• But as Jesus gazes out upon the masses, he sees a people who have been harassed, and he realizes just how helpless they are without someone to guide them.

• Here we see this divine compassion to those in poor health, gathering because they have seen and heard of the miracles Jesus is performing. There are to few labors to tend to the needs, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

5. Because of Jesus’s Compassion He sends the Disciples compelled to act or alleviate the suffering

• they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples,

• The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few “don’t you see” don’t you feel, don’t you have concern for these

• When Jesus looked out upon the masses and had compassion, he sent out his disciples

6. Compassion Creates Reform Look at what has happened as a result of compassion for George Floyd

• Stories abound throughout history of those who have fully embraced compassion

• For example, A.D. 369, Basil of Caesarea inherited money. He gave some to build a place where the sick and the dying could receive care. He built what many call the modern hospital

• When Charlemagne became emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, he also made a compelling decree that all cathedrals and monasteries have an infirmary attached to the building. These small hospitals were dedicated to caring for the poor and sick. That’s why many Hos. Are named after Saints Like Saint Luke’s Hospital, Saint Francis in & Saint Thomas in Charleston

• This is the divine compassion that we find in Jesus Christ: That when there is a need, Jesus shows compassion. Not only does Jesus have compassion on us, but he tells us how to show that same compassion to others. Compassion is linked to action — action that is liberating and healing.

• Compassion is entering the suffering of others, Compassion motivates stirs us, Compassion makes us mindful of others, And Compassion Reforms us and society, Compassion liberates and heals.