Moved with compassion #3 Mark 1:40 – 45.
It’s personal.
Everybody is motivated/moved by something.
What moves you? Money, success, family, friends, politics, love.
In this series we’ve looked at two things that “moved” Jesus “with compassion”.
In Matthew chapter 9 we found that Jesus was “moved with compassion” for the lostness of man.
The very reason he came from heaven to die for our sins is because of his love for us and I were need for him.
In Matthew chapter 14 we find that Jesus was “moved with compassion” for multitude of people and he stopped to heal them and then to feed them.
In Mark chapter 1 we find Jesus once again teaching and doing miracles in the synagogues in the area throughout Galilee.
We find that Jesus took the time to minister to an individual.
This is a beautiful picture of who Jesus really is and why Jesus came.
Jesus came to die for the sin of man (the world) and our sins (personal).
I’m sure it’s easy to be motivated/moved by large crowds, but Jesus was “moved with compassion” for one man.
One of the most amazing things about Jesus is that he is a “personal Savior” and we have a personal relationship with him.
This is a great hindrance to many people – they failed to understand that God loves “you” and that “you and your needs” are important to God.
I’ve had the privilege to do multiple mission trips. Some international and some domestic.
The most amazing thing to me is that the same God who loves me and gave his son to die for me is the same God in Vermont and South America as he is in my life.
Friend, if you hear nothing else I say today, here this!
Jesus loves you. He came to save you. You are important to him.
Every man/woman/child matters to him and every circumstance/problem in your life matters to him.
Jesus is “moved with compassion” and ”motivated by love” for you.
Mark 1:40 – 45.
What really got me started in this series was a different phrase altogether.
That phrase was “when Jesus pass by” which reminded me that Jesus was never too busy to stop and take the time to make a difference in someone’s life.
That really hit home to me.
We all get so busy that we do not see the needs of others.
Perhaps we’ve got so cynical that we do not believe the needs of others.
Perhaps we are so selfish that we do not care about the needs of others.
So why did Jesus stop what he was doing so many times to make a difference in someone else’s life.
Because he was “moved with compassion”.
This really begin to bother me and I began to ask myself what moves me and what motivates me.
Jesus was moved by the lostness of man, by the needs of people, and in this case by the helplessness of one leprous man.
Leprosy in biblical times was the worst of disease.
They were outcast, they were unclean, they were considered contagious and contaminated.
They were not allowed in public and if they came around they had to announce loudly “unclean, unclean” so that people could avoid them.
They were not allowed in the synagogues or even near the courtyards.
As a matter of fact, throughout the Scripture leprosy is a picture of our sin.
Contaminated, corrupted, and condemned.
But this is not about the leprosy.
This is not about the miracle.
Jesus can raise the dead, feed multitudes, heal sick people, set people free, and forgive our sins.
Jesus could he leprosy – heal cancer – heal depression – and any other issue that we may have.
This is about the motive of love.
“Moved with compassion” may be three of the greatest words in the Bible.
This man came to Jesus in need of what only Jesus could do.
Jesus gave this man the two things that we all need, to be healed & forgiven.
A Touch of the master’s hand and a Word from the throne of God.
Two things that we all stand in need of.
The leper.
He was motivated by his need.
The need of healing, cleansing, and forgiveness.
Bible does not say that a crowd of people was around, but I suspect there were some in attendance when this man arrived to see Jesus.
Perhaps he heard of Jesus great power to heal the sick (and he was really sick).
I can imagine that as he made his way toward Jesus that he followed the law and pronounced himself “unclean – unclean”.
People would have moved aside to make a path for him to walk.
But when he arrives at Jesus, Jesus does not shy away or turn his back on this man.
He sees his great need and is “moved with compassion” for him.
How do you approach Jesus with your need?
Do you come with a long list of demands and expectations?
Do you approach with caution and doubt, thinking he will never move in your life?
Notice how this leprous man approached Jesus.
1. Beseeching him (imploring – asking).
He made no demands, but instead asks in great humility.
In other words he was “begging” Jesus to help him.
He realized that he could not heal himself and that he was in need of more than one man could offer.
Perhaps in his humility he caught a glimpse of the heart of Jesus (compassion).
The world has shunned him, he is an outcast, he is unworthy, and he has no rights or control over his own life.
Sounds just like a sinner in need of the Savior.
2. Kneeling down.
He had no reason to stand tall.
He could not hide his leprosy, the disease left his skin deteriorated and often deformed their bodies.
By bending his knee he demonstrated his humility and his honor of being in the presence of Jesus.
He was subjecting himself to the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and great physician.
Approach with great humility.
He didn’t admit he had a “little” problem.
He didn’t excuse his infirmity away.
He didn’t demand an answer immediately.
He knew he needed help.
I suspect he had tried the alternatives.
Faith healing hypocrites, false doctors and Seers, frivolous self-help books.
Only to realize that none of these are real and that his only hope is in Jesus.
3. Speaking.
The leprous man acknowledges his faith in Jesus ability to heal.
(40) “If you will, you can make a clean.”
He was confirming his faith in Jesus ability to heal, and asking Jesus to heal him.
This man came to Jesus willing to be changed!
Many say the right things but don’t follow through.
Many want to be changed but refuse to be obedient.
You have to be willing to be changed.
It’s not about jumping through hoops are going through programs.
Jesus is not the “Jeannie in the Bible” that makes it all go away.
If you’re serious and you go to the right source then this man is right, Jesus can and will cleanse you and change you.
Stop trying do-it-yourself – you can’t fix leprosy/sin it is humanly impossible to cure.
Allow Jesus to do it and he will do it completely.
The Lord.
The two things every man needs Jesus is about to offer.
Because the man came to him seeking, honoring, and asking, Jesus was “moved with compassion” to change this man’s life.
1. A touch.
Why would Jesus touch a contaminated and corrupted outcast like a leper?
Because he was “moved with compassion”, He was moved to an action.
I am reminded of Bill Gaither’s great song “He touched me”.
Shackled by a heavy burden
'Neath a load of guilt and shame
Then the hand of Jesus touched me
And now I am no longer the same.
Why would Jesus touch this leper or touch me?
Because we are in need of a touch from the Masters hand.
A loving touch, a forgiving touch, a healing touch!
Jesus could heal him without touching, but the fact that he reached out and touched his contaminated and corrupted leper proves Jesus is love/compassion for him.
No one has touched him – he was diseased and they were afraid.
The touch is a powerful communicator of trust, respect, comfort, and love.
It is an action that can make us vulnerable but also makes us approachable.
Jesus is approachable, as a matter fact he wants you to come to him.
His hand is stretched out now – just waiting for you to reach out and take it.
2. A word.
The second greatest need of man is a word from God.
Jesus took action to touch him and then revealed his power by His word.
The touch showed his compassion and love for this man, but the word of God has the power to heal and to save.
(41) “I’m willing, be cleansed.”
God’s will is not our will and we cannot demand of God’s will.
God sees beyond our needs.
The truth is that we must bend our will to God’s will and not the other way around.
Jesus could have very well ignored this man because of his leprosy/sin.
But because of his great love for man He could not.
Because he was “moved with compassion” he was moved to action.
The Bible says that as soon as Jesus said “be cleansed” this man’s skin was immediately cleared from the leprosy and the scars of it.
I’m sure that all who were witnesses were amazed, but none moved like the former leper.
A touch and a word from God is life-changing!
Jesus told the man to go to the priest and to honor the law to prove that he had been made clean.
Now this is not a “legalist” statement.
We must be reminded that Jesus came to fulfill the law not abolish it and in order for this man to be received into the culture he was required to present himself to the priest.
But, he couldn’t do it.
He told everybody who would listen and probably those who would rather not hear about what Jesus did for him.
Conclusion.
The two things that every man needs can be found in Jesus.
Jesus is able and available to meet your need, heal your disease, and cleanse you from your corruption/sin.
How would you approach him today?
This man approached Jesus seeking, honoring, and asking for touch and a word.
Jesus was so “moved with compassion” that he was moved to action.
The man was radically changed, never to be the same again.
This man is a reminder to all of us that Jesus loves us as individuals.
Christianity is not about the numbers it’s about the souls of man.
Christianity is about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Jesus sees our lostness, needs, and infirmities and because he loves us he offers us a touch and word that can change our lives.
Invitation.
What do you need today?
Are you in need of a touch?
Perhaps you need a saving touch, only Jesus can forgive sin.
Sin is a serious sickness and leads to death.
Sin corrupts and contaminates.
Perhaps you need a comforting touch to face the dilemmas of life.
Perhaps you need healing touch to face the diseases of humanity.
Are you in need of a word?
Would you receive it and obey it.
Obedience leads to greater faith and allows God to do more in your life.
How would you approach Jesus?
You must first seek him, for he has what you need.
You must come humbly, for he is worthy of honor.
You must ask in faith, for he is able and available.
