The Compassion of Jesus

“As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him.  
Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” 
The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” 
Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 
“Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.” 
Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.” 
             Matthew 20:29-34
What I’m always amazed by in the scripture is the compassion of Jesus. He cared for the individual.
Case in point the above scripture. The crowd told the blind men to be quiet but Jesus saw their need and met it.
No matter how many crowded around him he took time for the individual. We see this in Matthew 9:18-22, when the woman with the issue of blood comes and touches his cloak. She did it quietly in faith.
Jesus realized what she did, turned and said, “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” (Matthew 9:22).
Jesus had tremendous compassion on the people around him. He set the example for us.
We should have compassion on those around us no matter who they are.
I remember seeing a poor man, a so called ‘street person’, in the down town portion of our city. He was hiding from the wind in between the double doors of a shopping complex.
It was a horribly cold day and the man didn’t have any gloves. I watched a well dressed man walk into the doors. He paused for a few seconds and tossed the man his gloves.
Then on his way out he handed the man a gift card from the coffee shop he’d just entered. I watched as eyes of recipient of the kindness light up, and he thanked the man.
I wondered to myself how many other people had just walked by that cold man that day and did nothing.
We as Christians need to learn to have compassion on all people. Matthew 7:1 makes it clear we have no right to judge anyone.
Our church congregations should be a place of love and acceptance, of compassion for all people.
Over the years sadly I’ve heard sermons from the pulpit speaking against everything from political parties, to people who have a social drink of wine, to rock and roll, to people with lifestyles that are different from the status quo in the church.
If we in the church speak out against such things we will never win these people to Christ.
Our churches must be as inclusive as was Jesus who was accused of sitting with sinners.
Our love for all people must shine. We must be known for our love and compassion for everyone whether we agree with them or not. For it is only by doing so that we will reach the world around us for Christ.
This is what it is to be Christian.
Think about it.