Preschool
In all thy ways acknowledge him (Proverbs 3:6).
The Compassion of Jesus
Memory Verses
Primary
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:6).
Junior
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:6).
Background Scripture: Mark 6
Lesson Scripture: Mark 6:31-42
Introduction
When God completed the creation of the world, He saw only beauty and perfection. Man, created in God’s own likeness, was the crown of his creation. God, in his great love, provided everything needed for humanity to live in harmony and tranquility. When man sinned and experienced fear and guilt, God’s heart was moved with compassion for the fallen, hopeless, human race. Jesus, who came in the flesh, was sent into this world to personify the compassion God has for fallen humanity.
This lesson portrays the compassion Jesus has for mankind. Our hearts are touched when we read of the compassion Jesus had for the people of his day. Time has not diminished the compassion of Jesus. Ephesians 5:1 refers to us as God’s dear children. God understands our physical, mental, and emotional needs.
Key Verse
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him (Luke 10:33-34).
Lesson Scripture
Mark 6:31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.
33 And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.
34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
35 And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed:
36 Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat.
37 He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?
38 He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.
39 And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.
40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.
41 And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.
42 And they did all eat, and were filled.
Studying the Lesson
At the time in which this lesson’s text took place, Jesus’s popularity was increasing tremendously. The expectant people were longing for a Messiah, a Savior to rescue them from the oppression of Roman rule. The people recognized the earthly oppression of the Romans but did not seem to recognize the spiritual oppression they were under. Jesus was offering them something the priests and religious leaders could not give. He offered hope for the soul, healing for the body, and a way to peacefully live with their fellowmen. The crowd’s ever-increasing desire to be with Jesus no longer gave Him or his disciples time to accommodate their own needs. Trying to find some seclusion only brought Jesus and his disciples face to face with a large needy crowd.
Jesus felt their need and, instead of being frustrated with the intrusion, was moved with compassion. The want of the people was greater than his and the disciples’ personal needs. Sincere seekers will always find compassionate audience with Jesus. He willingly ministered to their needs and could feel the heartbeat of these oppressed, downtrodden people.
As evening drew on, Jesus did not fault the people for neglecting to bring food along. He did not reprimand the disciples for their desperate suggestion but rather suggested they share what they had. His blessing on their meager provision filled the need. Jesus performed a great miracle. His disciples were instrumental in effecting this miracle. As they took their portion from Jesus and proceeded to feed the people (approximately 480 for each disciple), they must have gazed in astonishment as their portion never diminished. We are not given the particulars of just how everything transpired, but regardless of how the finer details played out, we can see that Jesus received the honor and the glory.
Practical Truths for Today
What can we learn from Jesus’s example of compassion? How can we apply it in our daily life? The three facets of compassion are noticing, feeling, and responding. Selfishness greatly diminishes our ability to observe the needs around us. The words of the song “A Tender Heart” 1 explain feeling the pain of others. A life committed to God in true thanksgiving will gladly respond to the opportunities around us. If one of these three points are missing, the true essence of showing compassion will also likely be lacking.
The example of the Good Samaritan found in the key verse establishes an additional significant point—to truly show compassion will always take a personal sacrifice. At times, compassion will require the giving of our money and other earthly goods. The Good Samaritan used what he had with him to treat the injured man and then set him on his own beast while walking alongside. Our care of the needy will always lift them up higher than ourselves, and it will lead us to walk in the path that circumstances have caused them to walk in.
We live in a world where love is wanting. As the icy fingers of sin, iniquity, and selfishness grip the hearts of men, showing compassion breathes warmth into a receiver’s heart. We believe this warmth can move the individual to see God and his great love for mankind.
One way to exercise compassion is in prayer at the throne of grace. When we see loved ones grieving the loss of one who has been taken from them, leaving a heartrending void, we can intercede for them. Parents whose child is straying, children whose parents take their own way, youth who are at the crossroads of life facing big decisions, or someone who has been overtaken by Satan in a weak moment all need our prayers of intercession.
God sees our heart and can mellow our spirit, enabling us to give comfort to hurting ones when the opportunity comes our way. Many times, all the hurting ones need is a listening ear, an understanding mind, and a caring heart. In the Bible we are given the example of Jesus’s empathy for Mary, Martha, and the people when Lazarus had died. He did not have words to say but wept with them. The people knew that He cared, for they said, “Behold how he loved him!” (John 11:36).
There are many ways to show we care. In one situation, a brother who was outside of church fellowship was touched when another brother just came and quietly sat beside him. We must be careful that our compassion is pure and not tainted with judgment or condescension. We can offer hope that God cares; hope establishes the strength to grasp the promises of God.
In Matthew 25, Jesus informs us that we will be judged by our care for others. The ones on the right-hand side on Judgment Day will have noticed the needs around them and responded. Like Jesus and his disciples, we perhaps feel the need to also rest, but as we respond in love to the situation at hand, God will give us the fortitude to carry on. When we, as guilty sinners, come to Jesus asking for forgiveness, He forgives, fills us with joy and peace, and inspires us to live a Christian life. Time will present opportunities as we go through life, giving us a choice to seize those opportunities or to pass them by. It is our responsibility to share God’s gifts to us with others.
In the church’s baptismal vows, we promise to love the brotherhood and exercise care and concern for their spiritual welfare. In our marriage vows, we promise to love, cherish, and exercise patience and kindness to our spouse in all situations that life can bring. May we exercise this beautiful virtue of compassion in our homes, in the church, and to all the people we meet on life’s way. Then the statement Jesus made in John 13:35 will be fulfilled in our life: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
Questions
- How can we empathize with someone who is hurting when we have not experienced the same pain?
- How can we be approachable and interested in others without being nosey?
- Does compassion come naturally for a Christian?
- 1 Ira F. Stanphill (1914-1993), “A Tender Heart,” Gospel Hymns for Worship
Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).