GOD¡¦S COMPASSION TO HEAL
1. God’s Compassion - DEFINITION
-------------------------------------
The most common verb used in the Greek New Testament to refer to God¡¦s compassion is splanchnizomai. This verb is used twelve times. Once it is used of the Samaritan¡¦s compassion for the wounded man (Luke 10:33). The other eleven uses refer to God’s compassion. In two separate parables Jesus uses this verb to refer to God’s compassion in saving and forgiving sinners (Matt. 18:27 and Luke 15:20). The remainder of the uses of this verb all refer to compassion as the major motivation for Jesus¡¦ healing and miracles. So in nine out of eleven occurrences where this verb is used of God¡¦s compassion it refers to the compassion of the Lord Jesus Christ as his motivation for healing!
What is the meaning of splanchnizomai when it refers to God’s compassion? The nominal form of this word originally referred to the inner parts of a man, the heart, liver, and so on. It could be used of the inward parts of a sacrificial animal, but it became common to use this word in reference to the lower parts of the abdomen, the intestines, and especially the womb. (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, eds. Gerhard Kittel and Gerhard Friedrich [Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1971] 7:548).
Some theologians have felt that this term was too rough or graphic to be used in reference to God’s compassion. Using the word for "intestines" to refer to God’s compassion is akin to our using the word ’guts’ for courage in modern English, as when we say, "He really has guts." However, I think the New Testament writers meant to do exactly this. They were impressing on the readers the power and the force of God’s compassion. They may also have had in mind a physical feeling associated with compassion. Sometimes a sharp pain in the abdomen will accompany intense feelings of compassion or pity for those we love. The choice of such a graphic word served to impress the New Testament Christians that God’s compassion for them was rooted in his deep love for them and his sensitivity to their pain.[Surprised by the Power of the Spirit, by Jack Deere (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1993), pp. 279-280.
Psalm 78:37-39 Ps 78:37 their hearts were not loyal to him, they were not faithful to his covenant. Ps 78:38 Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath. Ps 78:39 He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.
2. Memory Text: Lamentations 3:21-22
------------------------------------------
La 3:21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: La 3:22 Because of the LORD’S great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. La 3:23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
3. Key Thought
-------------------
Christ’s great love constrained Him to heal. His heart went out to the sick, the brokenhearted, and the bereaved. His love compelled Him to reach out, often healing entire villages.
4. Jesus Revealed God’s Merciful Character in His compassion and healing.
------------------------------------------------------
When people are hungry, cold, and without friends, they have a hard time understanding God’s tender mercies. The poor struggle to survive in a world of selfish people and are often treated as if they are less worthy. (We are always inclined to elevate the rich). The poor is looked down upon, pitied. But Christ says, "It was I who was hungry and thirsty. It was I who was a stranger. It was I who was sick."
Matthew 25:35-40: Mt 25:35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, Mt 25:36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Mt 25:37 "Then the righteous will answer him, ’Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? Mt 25:38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? Mt 25:39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ Mt 25:40 "The King will reply, ’I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
Although Jesus focused on eternity, He was concerned about the present and responded to the people who needed Him most--the poor, the ill, the grieving, and those entangled in webs of sin. He responded with infinite compassion.
Jesus revealed more than pity. Compassion implies pity accompanied by an urge to help. Sympathy sees and says, "I’m sorry." Compassion feels and whispers, ’I’ll help."
5. Christians Must Show God’s Compassion To The Sick & Hurting.
-----------------------------------------------------
"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." (Luke 6:36).
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Luke 10:25-37
Lk 10:25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. ’Teacher,’ he asked, ’what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Lk 10:26 ’What is written in the Law?’ he replied. ’How do you read it?’ Lk 10:27 He answered: ’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, ’Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Lk 10:28 ’You have answered correctly,’ Jesus replied. ’Do this and you will live.’ Lk 10:29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, ’And who is my neighbor?’ Lk 10:30 In reply Jesus said: ’A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. Lk 10:31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. Lk 10:32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. Lk 10:33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. Lk 10:34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. Lk 10:35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ’Look after him,’ he said, and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.¡¦ Lk 10:36 ¡§Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?’ Lk 10:37 The expert in the law replied, ’The one who had mercy on him.’ Jesus told him, ’Go and do likewise.’
„X Our demonstration of the power of God must be accompanied by love / compassion.
2Timothy 1:7 ’For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.’
6. Jesus’ Compassion--Healing Stories
------------------------------------------
a) Compassion On The Crowds
Matt. 14:13-14
13 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. Mt 14:14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Matt. 9:35-36
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. Mt 9:36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
b) Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son
Luke 7:11-17
11 Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. Lk 7:12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out- the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. Lk 7:13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, ’Don’t cry.’ Lk 7:14 Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, ’Young man, I say to you, get up!’ Lk 7:15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. Lk 7:16 They were all filled with awe and praised God. ’A great prophet has appeared among us,’ they said. ’God has come to help his people.’ Lk 7:17 This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.
c) A Man With Leprosy
Mark 1:40-41
40 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, ’If you are willing, you can make me clean.’ Mk 1:41 Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ’I am willing,’ he said. ’Be clean!’ Mk 1:42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.
CONCLUSION
----------
X When Jesus saw the crowds harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd, His heart was deeply moved by their miserable condition.
X When He saw the blind, the paralyzed, and the deaf, He entered into their sufferings (Matt. 14:14).
X When He became aware that the people who had followed Him for days were tired and hungry, He said, "I have compassion for these people" (Mark 8:2, NIV).
X He mercifully healed the leper who fell to his knees before Him (Mark 1:41), and
X He ministered to the sorrowing widow of Nain, who was burying her only son (Luke 7:13).
« Jesus entered into people’s heartaches and relieved their pain.
« He reached out and touched the lost, hungry, and the sick.
« He was intensely sensitive to the suffering of others.
* The great mystery is that Jesus, the sinless Son of God, chose to suffer our pains and thus enables us to see God in His true nature.
* In Christ, we see our great human need and God’s infinite power to heal us.
* He who is divine took our broken humanity.
(Conclusion from: Moved Through Compassion, Lesson 2 October 5-11, http://www.ssnet.org/qrtrly/eng/97d/less02.html) ***
