Jesus’ heart of compassion is so great for each person it is hard for us to comprehend. Over and over in the Gospels, Jesus demonstrates His understanding for others by His actions. This same compassion propelled Jesus to come to this earth and die for our sins on the cross at Calvary.
In our story today, Jesus meets a man who is a leper who requests healing. Leprosy affects the body physically, emotionally, relationally, and financially. You were considered unclean as a leper, so you had to isolate yourself. You could not have contact with your family nor continue to work. Most lepers lived together outside the community.
But as this man has hope as he approaches Jesus. The Bible does not say how he came to know about Jesus, but he boldly asks to be healed. Mark 1:40 A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said. 41 Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” 42 Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed.[1]
Jesus Has Compassion for You
Sometimes we think that Jesus may have compassion for others, but maybe not me. Our enemy, satan, always wants us to believe we are not worthy of the mercy of Jesus. This may be the voice that is playing in your mind today as you read this. The truth is Jesus does have compassion for you and all people. You are worthy because Jesus died for your sins on the cross. Not one sin was left out.
2 Corinthians 2:9You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. [2] When we come to Jesus and place our faith in Him, we are rich spiritually. This kind of richness can never deteriorate or be stolen.
Accepting Jesus’ Compassion Will Change Your Eternal Destination
The leper was drawn to Jesus and received the gift of healing. Our compassionate Jesus draws us to Himself and extends the gift of salvation to us. Like the leper, we must receive the gift, and when we do, it changes everything. Jesus healed the leper, and it changed his life. The more extraordinary gift, though, is the gift of salvation that transforms us in this world and opens the way to eternal life. Jesus is extending the gift of salvation to you today if you have never received it.
Jesus’ Compassion is a Model for Us
When we know Jesus as our Savior, He begins to change how we think and act. You may not have been a person of compassion until God started to work in you. Jesus is our model of understanding and transforms us to be like Him. Peter 3:8 “ Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.[3]
To hear about Jesus’ heart of compassion, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/mark-preaching-and-healing
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Mk 1:40–42). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (2 Co 8:9). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[3] The New International Version. (2011). (1 Pe 3:8). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.