Compassion and Courage

Jesus is well known for showing compassion to people. Brian reminds us that Jesus, demonstrates His compassion by showing forgiveness.

Jesus Demonstrated Compassion and Courage

Jesus loved to show compassion to people:

“When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.”

Mark 6:34 

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

(Matthew 9:3)

He had compassion for a widow whose son died.

“And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’”

Luke 7:13

Feeding Of The Five Thousand

We see that compassion in the feeding of the five thousand. With an open Bible, you can read Mark 6:35-36, 38-44.  

“And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.’  And he said to them, ‘How many loaves do you have? Go and see.’ And when they had found out, they said, ‘Five, and two fish.’ Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. So, they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.”

Mark 6:35-36, 38-44

Jesus is handed the loaves and fish that multiply to a miracle. Think of the things that are handed or given to Jesus. Things both valuable and ordinary. Gold and frankincense and myrrh. (Mt 2:11) The scroll in the synagogue, when he reads from Isaiah. [Lk 4:17, 20] A coin for the tax. [Mt 22:19] Fish that the disciples caught. [Jn 21:10] Expensive perfume to anoint the feet of Jesus. [Jn 12: 3] A boat to preach from. [Mk 3: 9] Tears to wipe his feet. [Lk 7: 38] And here, bread and fish from a boy’s lunch. [Mk 6:38]

Jesus Refuses and Offer

The miracle meal starts from what is probably 5 small barley cakes and 2 salted, sardine-like fish. Did Jesus ever refuse something offered to him? He did, at the beginning of his public life and at the end and each time we see that the compassionate Jesus is also the courageous Jesus. At the beginning, in the wilderness attack by Satan, the devil says to him:

“All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”

Matthew 4:9

Jesus refuses this offer because the kingdoms of the earth are not the devil’s to give. At the end, on the cross, they offer him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tastes it, he will not drink it. (Matthew 27:34) He refuses the drink that would dull his senses and numb the pain of crucifixion. He does not spare himself any of the physical agony he goes through to die for man’s sins.  The compassion of Jesus wants people to be forgiven; By the of courage Jesus, he

“endured the cross, despising the shame.” 

(Hebrews 12:2)

What Can We Give Jesus?

So, what can we give to the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ? Christina Rossetti gives her answer in a poem:

“What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a wise man, I would do my part; Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.”

Christina Rossetti

Another hymn sings this: “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my heart, my soul, my all.”

If Jesus could do so much with 5 buns and 2 small fish, imagine what he can do with your heart – your soul – your all.

What is compassion and how can we show it?  Contact us at HopeStreamRadio,  or comment below.