Devotionals for September 21, 2023
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READ
Matthew 14:14; Matthew 15:32; Mark 6:34
14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
32 Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.”
34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.
14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
32 Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.”
34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.
REFLECT
There are eleven instances where Jesus is described as having compassion on people in the New Testament. The word compassion is best translated as “to be moved as to one’s bowels.” The bowels, in New Testament times, was the seat of love and pity, much like the “heart” is for us today. The deepest parts of Jesus did not feel disgust, indifference, or criticism towards people. He felt compassion and it moved him to act on their behalf, to meet their immediate needs, and to move toward them redemptively. That is how our Lord looks upon you. You who read this, Jesus is moved by compassion towards you. Whether you are facing sickness, hunger, or discouragement, Jesus is not standing far off shaking his head at your inability to perform better. He is moved. His bowels churn with longing to move toward, not away from you.
In the above passages Jesus meets physical, practical, and spiritual needs. This means we have good reason to believe that he does not consider these needs unimportant. He sees us. The heart of God toward you is compassionate. Your suffering, big or little, is important to him.
In the above passages Jesus meets physical, practical, and spiritual needs. This means we have good reason to believe that he does not consider these needs unimportant. He sees us. The heart of God toward you is compassionate. Your suffering, big or little, is important to him.
APPLY
Q: What are the physical, practical, and spiritual needs met in these passages?
Q: Do you view God as looking on you with compassion? Is that hard/easy to do?
Q: If Jesus had compassion on others, how should that impact our attitude and movement toward others?
Q: Do you view God as looking on you with compassion? Is that hard/easy to do?
Q: If Jesus had compassion on others, how should that impact our attitude and movement toward others?
SING
PRAY
"Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us."
Thank you Lord for meeting our needs. Help us to look on others with your compassion and love. Amen.
Thank you Lord for meeting our needs. Help us to look on others with your compassion and love. Amen.