The Compassion of Christ

When the disciples returned from their first evangelistic tour, Jesus knew they were physically weary and also in need of spiritual refreshment. However, the crowds were so large and persistent that Jesus’ company had no leisure. The Lord, therefore, departed with the disciples for a quiet place where they might be alone, but the determined crowd guessed where he was going and hurried to reach the spot ahead of them. Christ and his disciples were in need of rest, but when Jesus saw the great throng, “He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd” (v. 34).

Compassion was one of the great qualities of Jesus’ life and ministry. He always sympathized with people in need. Compassion is literally “to suffer with another,” and it describes the sorrow that is produced by the distress or misfortune of others. Frequent references in Scripture to the compassion of Christ remind us how truly he fulfilled the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah, “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows,” for he was “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isa. 53:4, 3).

Our Lord’s compassion involved more than an emotional reaction. It included action to minister to man’s need. Out of compassion the hungry multitude is fed; out of compassion the sick and suffering are healed; and out of compassion men burdened and imprisoned by sin are set free, as Jesus goes to an awful death that we might have eternal life. Such is the compassion of Christ. – Rev. Robert L. Bast (6-22-68)