Introduction

Good morning, family of Christ! I hope y'all are feeling blessed today. We're about to dive into the Word of God together, and today, we're focusing on a passage from Matthew 14:13-21. Let me read it out for you:

"When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, 'This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.' Jesus replied, 'They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.' 'We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,' they answered. 'Bring them here to me,' he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children."

Jesus' Compassion for the Crowd

In this passage from Matthew, one of the first things we notice is Jesus' compassion for the crowd. The Greek word used here for compassion, "splagchnizomai," is a visceral term that refers to a deep, gut-level type of empathy. It's not just a fleeting feeling of pity, but a profound, heartfelt concern that moves one to action. This is the kind of compassion Jesus had for the crowd.

Jesus had just received the news of John the Baptist's beheading, a tragic event that must have deeply grieved Him. Yet, when He saw the crowd, despite His own sorrow, He was moved with compassion. He didn't ignore them or send them away; instead, He healed their sick. This shows us that Jesus' compassion isn't deterred by personal pain or inconvenience. His love for humanity is so deep and so wide that it encompasses His own suffering and extends to those in need.

Moreover, Jesus' compassion wasn't selective. The crowd consisted of a diverse group of people - men, women, children, the sick, the healthy, the rich, the poor, the religious, the irreligious. Yet, Jesus didn't discriminate. He saw them all, He loved them all, and He served them all. This teaches us that Jesus' compassion is inclusive. It reaches out to everyone, regardless of their social status, physical condition, or religious affiliation.

Furthermore, Jesus' compassion was practical. He didn't just feel sorry for the crowd; He did something about their needs. He healed their sick and fed them. This shows us that Jesus' compassion is active. It's not a passive emotion, but a dynamic force that drives Him to meet people's needs in tangible ways.

In addition, Jesus' compassion was generous. He didn't just give the crowd a little food; He gave them so much that there were leftovers. This shows us that Jesus' compassion is abundant. He doesn't give sparingly, but lavishly. He doesn't just meet our needs; He exceeds them.

Finally, Jesus' compassion was empowering. He didn't just perform the miracle Himself; He involved His disciples in the process. He instructed them to distribute the food to the crowd. This shows us that Jesus' compassion is participatory. He invites us to join Him in His work of compassion, to be His hands and feet in the world.

In all these ways, Jesus' compassion for the crowd is a powerful example for us to follow. It challenges us to love deeply, inclusively, practically, generously, and participatively. It calls us to look beyond our own needs and comfort, to see the needs of others, and to do something about them. It inspires us to be compassionate as Jesus is compassionate, to love as Jesus loves.

The Power of Faith and Prayer

The Power of Faith and Prayer is a central theme in this passage from Matthew 14:13-21 ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO