Miracles of Jesus: Moved with Compassion
Scripture Focus: John 4, John 3, Matthew 27:57, Luke 8:42-48, Luke 8:26-39 (NLT)
Introduction:
Today, we will consider into a profound theme in Scripture: the miracles of Jesus that were driven by His deep compassion. The Gospels give us numerous accounts of miracles, each with a unique context, but what ties them together is Jesus’ compassion for those He encountered. The word "compassion" in Greek is splagchnizomai, meaning to be moved deeply in one's innermost being, almost like a gut reaction. Jesus didn’t just perform miracles for the sake of power; He was moved by love for people.
In our time together, we will explore how Christ’s compassion prompted His miraculous works, how it continues to affect us today, and how it challenges us to live out His compassion in our own lives.
I. The Compassionate Miracle at Cana (John 4)
In John 4, we read the story of Jesus healing the royal official’s son. The official comes to Jesus in desperation, pleading for his son’s life. And in John 4:50 (NLT), Jesus responds with, “Go back home. Your son will live!” The miracle is not just a display of power, but a response to the man’s desperate need. Jesus didn’t rebuke the man for his desperation—He responded with compassion.
Psalm 103:13 (NLT): “The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.” This verse reveals God’s tender heart towards us, His children, a heart that leads to action.
The royal official wasn’t a Jew, and yet Jesus extended compassion and healing to him. This shows us that Christ’s compassion crosses boundaries—cultural, religious, and social. In the original Greek, the word for "compassion" is oiktirmos, which denotes a deep sense of mercy.
When we pray for miracles in our own lives or in the lives of others, we need to remember that Jesus responds not just out of power, but out of love. His compassion drives His action. So, when you approach Jesus with your needs, know that He cares deeply and will respond in love.
II. Jesus and Nicodemus: A Compassionate Teacher (John 3)
John 3 gives us the famous conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, a Pharisee who comes to Jesus at night, seeking truth. In John 3:3 (NLT), Jesus tells him, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Jesus’ interaction with Nicodemus wasn’t just about imparting knowledge; it was about compassionately leading him to the truth.
Isaiah 30:18 (NLT): “So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion.” God patiently waits for us to seek Him, and when we do, He meets us with compassion.
Nicodemus was a man of status and education, but Jesus did not dismiss him. Instead, He patiently explained the truth of salvation to him. The Greek word didasko used for "teaching" here reflects the idea of instructing with care and concern, not just dispensing information.
Like Nicodemus, there are moments when we seek answers in the night—times of doubt and confusion. Jesus meets us with compassion and patiently guides us into truth. As we grow in understanding, let’s also show compassion to those around us who are seeking answers, offering guidance with patience and love.
III. The Healing of the Woman with the Issue of Blood (Luke 8:42-48)
In Luke 8, we encounter a woman who had been suffering from bleeding for twelve years. She had exhausted all her resources on doctors who couldn’t heal her. But in her desperation, she reaches out to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment. In Luke 8:48 (NLT), Jesus says to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
Matthew 9:36 (NLT): “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Jesus’ heart is moved by our helplessness and pain, prompting Him to act.
The woman’s touch was an act of faith, but it was also born out of desperation. Jesus could have ignored her touch, but His compassion caused Him to stop and address her directly. The word therapeuo, meaning "to heal," is used here, signifying not just physical healing but wholeness.
When we feel broken or desperate, Jesus invites us to reach out to Him. His compassion is not reserved for the whole and healthy; it is for the broken and needy. Let’s be reminded that no matter how hopeless we feel, Jesus responds to our faith with compassion and healing.
IV. The Compassionate Deliverer: Healing the Demon-Possessed Man (Luke 8:26-39)
In this passage, Jesus encounters a man tormented by demons. He is living among the tombs, isolated and in anguish. Jesus commands the demons to leave him, and in Luke 8:39 (NLT), He tells the man, “Now go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” Jesus not only delivers the man but restores him to his community, an act of profound compassion.
Psalm 34:17 (NLT): “The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.” God is a deliverer who responds to the cries of those in distress.
Jesus’ deliverance of the demon-possessed man wasn’t just about casting out demons. It was about restoring the man’s dignity and identity. The Greek word sozo, meaning "to save" or "to deliver," is used here, indicating a holistic restoration—spiritual, emotional, and physical.
We all know people, or perhaps we ourselves, who feel trapped or tormented by something in life. Jesus is our compassionate deliverer, ready to bring freedom and restoration. Let’s have the faith to cry out to Him and the compassion to help others find freedom in Christ.
V. The Compassion of Christ in the Crucifixion (Matthew 27:57)
Matthew 27:57 (NLT) gives us a glimpse into the compassion of Jesus even in His death. When evening had come, Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man and a disciple of Jesus, asked Pilate for Jesus’ body. Jesus’ compassion wasn’t limited to His miracles during life; it extended to the act of ultimate sacrifice on the cross.
Romans 5:8 (NLT): “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” The cross is the ultimate display of God’s love and compassion for humanity.
In Jesus’ death, we see the culmination of His compassion. He didn’t just heal bodies or deliver from demons; He gave His life to save us from sin and eternal separation from God. The Greek word agape, used for "love," signifies a self-sacrificial, unconditional love that seeks the highest good of the other.
The cross is where compassion meets action in its most powerful form. Christ’s sacrifice was for each one of us, and as we reflect on His compassion, we are called to live lives that reflect that same love and sacrifice. How can you show Christ’s compassion to someone today?
Conclusion:
Throughout His ministry, Jesus was moved with compassion to heal, to teach, to deliver, and to ultimately sacrifice Himself for us. His miracles were not just demonstrations of power; they were acts of love. As we reflect on these accounts, let’s be inspired to live lives marked by compassion. Jesus calls us to love others as He has loved us—to be His hands and feet in a world that is in desperate need of His touch.
Call to Action:
Today, let us commit to being people who are moved by compassion, just as Jesus was. Whether it’s through prayer, service, or simply reaching out to someone in need, let’s allow God’s love to move us to action. And if you are in need of a miracle today, know that Jesus sees you, loves you, and is ready to meet you with compassion.
