Jesus loves you with great compassion
God loved us so much that while we were sinners, Christ died for us.
If we believe in Him, we are righteous and will be saved from the final judgment.
Romans 5:7-10 “For one will hardly die for a righteous man. Yet perhaps for a good person someone would even dare to die. But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we will be saved from God’s wrath through him. For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we will be saved by his life.”
At times we may struggle with faith and the problems of this life.
But dear friends, there’s only one thing that is constant.
The love of Jesus for you and me. How much does Jesus love us?
He was beaten, punched, slapped, spat upon his face.
His head was pierced with many painful thorns.
His back was flogged into pieces. He was humiliated and betrayed.
His hands, legs and sides were pierced with sharp nails and spears.
He shed His blood on the cross.
He gave up His body to be disgraced and hung naked on a rugged cross.
He died for our sins even though He never sinned.
He did all of this because He loves you.
The Lord Jesus Christ came to this world for one reason alone – to save us.
Christ’s heart is filled with compassion as we see here:
Matthew 9:36 “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd.”
Matthew 14:14 “Jesus went out, and he saw a great multitude. He had compassion on them and healed their sick.”
With compassion, He forgave our sins and threw them away never to be remembered:
Micah 7:19 “He will again have compassion on us. He will tread our iniquities under foot;
and you will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea”
Matthew 15:32-38 “Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have continued with me now three days and have nothing to eat. I don’t want to send them away fasting, or they might faint on the way.” The disciples said to him, “Where could we get so many loaves in a deserted place as to satisfy so great a multitude?” Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground; and he took the seven loaves and the fish. He gave thanks and broke them, and gave to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes. They all ate and were filled. They took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over. Those who ate were four thousand men, in addition to women and children.”
Jesus gave them much more than they asked or imagined after they ate and filled their stomachs! Jesus is filled with compassion and generosity. When we believe in Jesus, He forgives not only our sins but also gives us Gods’ righteousness & glory as His children.
When Jesus broke the bread, it was a symbol of His own broken body and blood on the cross for our salvation. Jesus is the bread of life that was broken to give us eternal life.
John 6:32-35 “Jesus therefore said to them, “Most certainly, I tell you, it wasn’t Moses who gave you the bread out of heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread out of heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world.” They said therefore to him, “Lord, always give us this bread.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will not be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
The Jews trusted in their works of the Law. The “manna”/bread in the wilderness was a symbol of the Law that could not give them eternal life.
But Jesus is now the true bread of grace in the new covenant that gives us abundant life.
John 6:47-58 “Most certainly, I tell you, he who believes in me has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness and they died. This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, that anyone may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down out of heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. Yes, the bread which I will give for the life of the world is my flesh. ”The Jews therefore contended with one another, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat? ”Jesus therefore said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you don’t have life in yourselves. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father; so he who feeds on me, he will also live because of me. This is the bread which came down out of heaven—not as our fathers ate the manna, and died. He who eats this bread will live forever.”
When Jesus came to the earth, He lived only by trusting in the love of the Father.
In the same way we also have eternal life by trusting in the love of Christ.
We are saved by faith in His finished work and not by relying on our works.
This is the meaning of eating His flesh and blood – to trust in Him. His body was broken for the entire world with lots of blessings in abundance – more than we can handle.
Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, God Almighty – this is why He was able to multiply the bread because He created everything in this universe!
Luke 5:4-7 “When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered him, “Master, we worked all night, and took nothing; but at your word I will let down the net.” When they had done this, they caught a great multitude of fish, and their net was breaking. They beckoned to their partners in the other boat, that they should come and help them. They came, and filled both boats, so that they began to sink.”
When Peter could not catch any fish, Jesus did a miracle and helped him catch fish that could not even fit in his boat! Christ shows that He is abundant & lavish in forgiving us!
Even when the situation looks very scary, Jesus tells us to not be afraid like when he told the father whose daughter had died – Jesus can raise the dead!
Mark 5:35-36,41-42 “While he was still speaking, people came from the synagogue ruler’s house saying, “Your daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher any more?” But Jesus, when he heard the message spoken, immediately said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Don’t be afraid, only believe.” Taking the child by the hand, he said to her, “Talitha cumi!” which means, being interpreted, “Girl, I tell you, get up!” Immediately the girl rose up and walked, for she was twelve years old. They were amazed with great amazement.”
Jesus even healed a person immediately after being betrayed by Judas, His own disciple. Jesus did not get angry or sulk in disappointment but only knew how to bless others even in His darkest moments! What great love and compassion!
Jesus is truly Lord and God. Nobody loves us like Jesus.
Luke 22:48-51 “But Jesus said to him, “Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss? ”When those who were around him saw what was about to happen, they said to him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” A certain one of them struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered, “Let me at least do this”—and he touched his ear, and healed him.”
Is Christ able to save us? Yes, just as He told the blind men in Israel.
Matthew 9:27-29 “As Jesus passed by from there, two blind men followed him, calling out and saying, “Have mercy on us, son of David!” When he had come into the house, the blind men came to him. Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They told him, “Yes, Lord.” Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.”
We know He is able but is He willing? But look at what Jesus says to the leper who was shunned by society and considered accursed and untouchable:
Matthew 8:1-3 “When he came down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. Behold, a leper came to him and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.” Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I want to. Be made clean.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.”
Jesus was not only willing to heal the leper. The Lord also touched him to make him feel his love and compassion. Jesus could have just healed him from a mile away.
But the Lord wants to show us that no matter how much we have sinned, He loves us unconditionally without finding fault to save us when we simply believe!
James 1:5 “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
Other people may say that you have sinned beyond the grace of God and that there’s no more mercy. Even if others say that He cannot forgive/save you, don’t be discouraged and come to Him in faith.
Matthew 20:30-34 “Behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, you son of David!” The multitude rebuked them, telling them that they should be quiet, but they cried out even more, “Lord, have mercy on us, you son of David!” Jesus stood still and called them, and asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” They told him, “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.” Jesus, being moved with compassion, touched their eyes; and immediately their eyes received their sight, and they followed him.”
Sometimes we may think that we are disqualified for His grace.
My dear friends, look at the case of the Canaanite woman.
She had asked Jesus to heal her daughter but He could not do so because she was a Gentile. Before the cross, Jesus was only ministering to the Jews because the old covenant was still in effect before the cross.
Under the old covenant, the Gentiles were outside the blessing of God.
Jesus only started saving Gentiles after the cross when the New Covenant came into effect where salvation was open equally to both Jew and Gentile.
Matthew 15:24-28 “But he answered, “I wasn’t sent to anyone but the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, help me.” But he answered, “It is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” But she said, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.”
This confident and persistent faith in Christ’s love and grace was the answer.
She knew that Christ could save even the Gentile “sinner”.
She believed that God would justify the ungodly (Romans 4:5).
Even if you have been feeling guilty for many years, just believe and He will forgive!
Mark 5:25-29,34 “A certain woman, who had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things by many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better, but rather grew worse, having heard the things concerning Jesus, came up behind him in the crowd, and touched his clothes. For she said, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be made well.” Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction…. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be cured of your disease.”
Even when everything seems lost, Jesus comes to us and wipes our tears away, even bringing resurrection to the areas of our lives that need it.
Luke 7:12-15 “Now when he came near to the gate of the city, behold, one who was dead was carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. Many people of the city were with her. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said to her, “Don’t cry.” He came near and touched the coffin, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” He who was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother.”
Jesus told us that God is far better than this unrighteous judge who answered the persistent woman only because of her constant pestering.
Luke 18:1-8 “He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray, and not give up, saying, “There was a judge in a certain city who didn’t fear God, and didn’t respect man. A widow was in that city, and she often came to him, saying, ‘Defend me from my adversary!’ He wouldn’t for a while, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God, nor respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will defend her, or else she will wear me out by her continual coming.’” The Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge says. Won’t God avenge his chosen ones who are crying out to him day and night, and yet he exercises patience with them? I tell you that he will avenge them quickly. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
God is not like that unrighteous judge but He is our loving Father who has compassion on His children!
Luke 11:9-13 “I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he won’t give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? Or if he asks for an egg, he won’t give him a scorpion, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”
Jesus told the disciples before the cross to keep asking and seeking the Holy Spirit.
They were not yet born-again. But today the believer already has the Holy Spirit living in them. Why is the Holy Spirit the answer to our needs? The Spirit reveals everything that we already freely have in Jesus Christ. The world says that there is no free lunch but the Holy Spirit gives us every spiritual blessing freely by grace through faith in Christ.
1st Corinthians 2:12 “But we received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might know the things that were freely given to us by God.”
Sometimes our situation can seem hopeless waiting many years with nobody to help us. Jesus is always willing to answer our needs, at the right time.
John 5:2-9,16-17 “Now in Jerusalem by the sheep gate, there is a pool, which is called in Hebrew, “Bethesda”, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, or paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water; for an angel went down at certain times into the pool and stirred up the water. Whoever stepped in first after the stirring of the water was healed of whatever disease he had. A certain man was there who had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had been sick for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I’m coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Arise, take up your mat, and walk.” Immediately, the man was made well, and took up his mat and walked. Now it was the Sabbath on that day…. For this cause the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill him, because he did these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, “My Father is still working, so I am working, too.”
The legalistic Pharisees didn’t understand that Jesus was more interested in saving people instead of their observance of the Sabbath.
When we face the storms of life and we call upon His name in faith then Jesus can suddenly come to our boat and immediately take us to our destination!
John 6:20-21 “But he said to them, “It is I. Don’t be afraid.” They were willing therefore to receive him into the boat. Immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.”
Even when the situation seems “dead”, Jesus can still bring it back to life!
We cannot do anything but only believe in Him doing it!
He delights in saving us. Miracles did not end in the 1st Century.
God never stops working and the miracle can suddenly come to us in Jesus’ name!
The greatest miracle is salvation that is simply received by grace through faith in Christ without our works. We can be sure of this by seeing just how much Jesus loves us:
John 13:3-5 “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God, and was going to God, arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel and wrapped a towel around his waist. Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”
He created the entire universe and every human being; He never sinned but did many miracles and yet He chose to wash our feet and die for our sins!
This is why we pray to God in the name of Jesus and not in our moral qualifications.
No matter how much we are disqualified by our sins, our prayers are only answered by the merit of Christ – His righteousness is the qualification for our prayers.
John 14:13-14 “ Whatever you will ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it.”
As a believer, you already have eternal life and full access to our Father with confidence and assurance to pray according to His will:
1st John 5:13-15 “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. This is the boldness which we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us. And if we know that he listens to us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.”
Luke 4:40 “When the sun was setting, all those who had any sick with various diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.”
Jesus will never turn away anyone who comes to Him in faith.
Everyone who comes to Him is forgiven and saved forever.
John 6:37 “All those whom the Father gives me will come to me. He who comes to me I will in no way throw out.” Jesus Christ loves everyone the same and He never turns back those who come to Him.
Mathew Simon 