Demonstrate Compassion

Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | May 23, 2023 | Matthew 15:32-33

KEY VERSE:

Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way. Matthew 15:32

MESSAGE:

Jesus, the King of the Kingdom, is a compassionate King. Jesus desires to do more than simply heal their diseases and wanted to meet their need of hunger as well. The text says Jesus called His disciples and told them how He had compassion for the people because they were hungry, and He did not want to send them away hungry. He did this to raise their attention and teach them by His example and accustom them to show acts of mercy and compassion to persons in any kind of want and distress. Compassion involves the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It is the capacity to put oneself in another’s shoes, to imagine their experiences, and to feel what they are feeling. Compassion is characterized by acts of kindness and benevolence towards others. It involves extending a helping hand, offering support, and being considerate and caring. It involves taking action to alleviate the suffering of others. It can manifest through providing comfort, assistance, resources, or any form of support that helps alleviate pain, distress, or hardship.

Compassionate people have eyes that see beyond the natural, hearts that feel the pains and burdens of others and hands that are ready to offer help from painful and hopeless situations. Christ, our High Priest, is a merciful one and is touched with the feeling of the infirmities of men, of every sort, both of soul and body. Jesus did not want to send them away hungry because they had been with Him for three days. This shows how diligent and committed these people were to the teachings and ministry of Jesus Christ so much so that they could forego home, friends, and food to be with Jesus.

FEET HANDS OF MESSAGE:

As citizens of the Kingdom, we need to trust in Jesus’ compassion and reflect on the fact that Jesus cares deeply about our physical and spiritual needs. Let us trust that He understands our circumstances and is willing and able to provide for us. We must learn to approach Jesus with our needs and concerns, knowing that He is always ready to meet us in our weakness and provide what we lack. We must emulate Jesus’ compassion because as citizens of the Kingdom, we are called to imitate His compassionate nature. Let His example inspires us to reach out to others with love and kindness, addressing both spiritual and physical needs. Jesus wants and expects His followers to be characterized by compassion in life and ministry.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I thank you for your boundless compassion. Your love knows no limits and your care extends to every aspect of my life. I ask for grace and strength to emulate the compassion of Jesus in my own life and ministry. Help me to see others through your eyes, with a heart filled with empathy and love. Help me to recognize the needs of those around me, both physically and spiritually. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen!

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!