Hanging out with Jesus VI: His Deep Compassion

Hanging out with Jesus VI:  His Deep Compassion

Mark 1:39 – 45

Compassion is the very thing that moved Jesus from heaven. Compassion is what tenderizes hears to be touched by human plights. It kept Jesus on the cross and moved him to the throne. He felt for people enough to touched by them and tirelessly serve them. That motivated his ministry. The high counts of words like immediately, forthwith, straightway and straightly in the book of Mark are testimony of the swiftness with which he responded to needs.  His instant obedience was matched by immediate results.  To be a disciple maker with Jesus one has to have the essential element of compassion for people. Being a disciple is growing in compassion. One has to catch the compassionate heart of God. . It is a divine attribute that rubs on to you when you spend time in God’s presence.

Compassion was the key to his influence. Influence is the key to leading. Compassion generates cooperation. Compassion is concern, kindness, and sympathy that evokes involvement or action. When one who is kind and merciful acts to address the need of concern, compassion is at work. Mercy breads bonding and loyalty. Mercy was a bridge that opened hearts of people to him. Mercy is what transforms us as we follow him. It is the key to lead people out of darkness and make them fervent worshiper, win souls, make disciples, move mountains, create wealth, world changers, build legacy.

Because he was compassionate Jesus:

         Paid attention to the needy. His work is associated with the sick being healed, lepers cleansed, the gospel heard and the down cast uplifted. He had time for the least, lowest, last and lost (Luke 4:18, 1 Corinthians 1:6). We live in a world that has lost its moral compass and the result is much suffering and pain.

         Paid attention to the one. He afforded time for the one within the crowd. His encounters with individuals such as the centurion, and blind Bartimaeus make Jesus reachable to us at a personal level. His care for individuals opened the hearts of crowds. The result was a sweeping awakening as the good news spread like a wild fire.  What we learn is that mercy gives influence. It resulted in an unstoppable momentum evidenced by excitement, energy, drive and impetus. Not driven by one person.

Mark 1:28  And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.

Mark 1:32- 33  And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. And all the city was gathered together at the door.

Mark 1:45  But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.

         Paid attention to the outcasts like the woman with an issue of blood (Mark 5:25) and transformed worst of sinners like the woman who anointed his feet (Luke 7:37). 

         Paid attention to the lowly for a reward in heaven. Most of the people that thronged him were have-nots. His teachings and stories brought hope to the poor. Almost as if he favoured the poor.

         Paid attention to the hard things that stretched him (Mathew 26:39). He was willing to pay the highest price to show compassion. Go went where God instructed and did what God told him to do. He did not seek to do just hat was easy, comfortable or celebrated. That is why he valued personal growth before trying to grow multitudes. As a result he was a climber, upstream swimmer, and a driver not a drifter.

         Paid attention to the few. He selected the twelve disciples who were with him. Through the few he reached not only masses but generations. Through them he  now has millions around him where he used to have five thousand. He is now preaching to billions.

         Jesus was accessible 24/7.   He allowed people to interrupt his rest time (Mark 6:34). The people pushed him to seek places of  rest and pursued him there. He still out of compassion ministered to them. Although He rules the universe we have access to His throne 24/7. He is a King who calls us friends yet is worthy of our eternal worship. All for our welfare, he rules in righteousness and love. He will never falter, never fail, never make a bad decision and never lose a battle.

         Jesus followed the wildernesses in people and on the map.  Chapter 1 ends with message back in wilderness. Earlier a voice was crying in the wilderness. He went to the wilderness and brought the message to the city because he heard the cry in the wilderness in people’s hearts not just the one on the map.  That wilderness is still crying for a voice (Isaiah 35: 1-15)

Three things:  

Mar 1:40 – 41   And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.

>>He was willing. What he has promised indicates his will. You ONLY come in humility and faith like this man did.  The leper was so happy he made it the only obstacle he thought was his willingness.  Like the lame brought through the roof… he doesn’t lecture them about respect for property and dignified behavior.  Jesus did not ask … how did you manage to come near us with your leprosy? During recent Xenophia attacks in South Africa, the Minister of Home Affairs  said, ‘we are not worried about whether the people have papers or not but to make sure lives are safe.’

>> He  touched a leper.  Moved with compassion he was touched by his need and plea so much that he touched him. He touched him even though he was unclean, and untouchable. Touching is identifying with. When people brought sacrifices for their sins the person touched the animal to set it aside as his/her representative. When he touched the leper he identified with him.

>> He cleansed him. He brought transformation to his life. His condition had been worse than that of the sick. He needed not just healing but cleansing. Always he would warn people  by shouting ‘unclean’. But now he was no longer an outcast. He was no longer unclean. He was  integrated back into society. It is possible to  be healed but carry a stigma. He was cleansed of the stigma. Mercy is considerate. He told him go and get checked and get professional certification as a testimony (Mark 1:44).

Mark 1:39  And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.

Mark 1:42 - 44  And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away; And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. 

Each time he told them not to publish what God had done for them, the more they published. You almost want to remind him not to bother stopping them. Why would he give such a futile instruction? The only reason was for us to know that when God does wonders in people’s lives they just cannot stop shouting about it. Not even when he charges them not to.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa