Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – November 16, 2017
By Tripp Prince
When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Matthew 14:14 (ESV)
In Matthew’s gospel, we encounter several of the most famous scenes from Jesus’s ministry: feeding the five thousand, walking on water, and healing the sick. We walk with Jesus into the very heart of his mission, filling those who are hungry, comforting and emboldening those who are afraid, and giving life where there is death. Behind these stories is a deep seated, unwavering compassion in the heart of Jesus towards those who are in need.
Matthew 14:14 tells us that when Jesus saw the great crowd, “he had compassion for them and healed their sick.” And rather than a single, isolated incident, throughout the New Testament, this is the consistent posture of Jesus towards those who are in need and broken. Filled with pity and moved by great compassion, Jesus reaches out in love to a world in need and begins his great mission of restoration.
If you identify with the characters in these stories, this is good news for you today. For those of us who are hungry, fearful, and sick, the Lord looks upon us with unimaginable compassion and love. He wants to draw near and bring healing and wholeness that can only be described as a gift of grace and a work of the Holy Spirit. In part, this is why we gather week by week in worship. We come to offer praise and thanksgiving for the goodness of God in our lives, yet we also come as those who are hungry and in great need. We gather seeking the compassion and kindness of the Lord in our lives.
However, at the heart of our mission as Christians lies the invitation for us to be formed into the likeness of Christ. If this is to be true of us, we need to not only receive the compassion of Christ but we must become compassionate people ourselves. We must learn to open our hearts and lives to a world in need and be moved with compassion, joining Christ in the renewal of all things.
May we receive the compassion of Jesus with great thanksgiving, and as we are conformed into his image, may we also boldly share that compassion with everyone we meet!
“Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they regained their sight and followed him” (Matthew 20:34).
Prayer
Father, thank you for the love and compassion shown in your son, Jesus Christ. Teach us to follow in his example and love others as we have been so perfectly loved. Amen.Application
Who in your life is in need of compassion? How can you reach out to them with the love of Christ?Related Reading
Matthew 9:36; Luke 7:13; Luke 15:20Post/Tweet today
As Christians we not only receive the compassion of Christ, but we must become compassionate people ourselves. #WisdomHunters #compassionWorship Resource
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