The Compassion of Jesus

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Our Compassionate Savior

Scripture
Matthew 14:14
When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Matthew 9:36
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Philippians 2:5-8
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Isaiah 53:4-5
Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 30:18
Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!

Isaiah 49:10
They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat down on them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water.

Isaiah 54:10
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.


Devotional:
When I read about the compassion of Jesus, it is like a stopping point on a busy freeway. My thoughts can get busy sometimes, and I can forget that I spend a lot of time cataloguing my faults. I can trace mistakes back to early childhood and believe that I am doomed to failure in life because of my poor choices. Being reminded that the Lord has compassion on His children gives me a sigh of pause and relief.

He was wounded for my transgressions.

Friends, we don’t have to pay anymore for our mistakes. This is not to say that we should not be concerned with our actions, not to say that we should have a cavalier attitude or lack remorse for wrong choices. But the Lord is gracious, full of compassion, and loves us so much.

Today, let’s lay our transgressions at the foot of the cross and soak in His compassion.

Our children, too, have His compassion. He loves them. He understands and desires good for them. He also wants to implant His compassion within us, that we could have the same soft heart toward them. As we raise our children, and in particular children with strong wills, He wants to guide us in the best way to interact with them and shape them.

I pray today that we would be moved with compassion in the struggles of our children. I pray that we would receive the compassion of Jesus for our struggles. He is waiting with open arms!

Prayer:
Father, thank You that You showed us the model of compassion. Thank You that You are for me, and You are for my child(ren). I receive Your grace and mercy today, and I ask that You would help me to know that You desire our good.

Intercession:
I lift up my child(ren) today. (Name area of need, concern, struggle). (Spend some time lifting this to the throne. Wait on the Lord for guidance in how to pray. Ask for peace, intervention, healing, and unity).

I bless You today, Father, and thank You for this time with You.


In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.

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