Feeling as Jesus Felt

Matthew 9:36

36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

1. The Compassionate Heart of the Father

2 Corinthians 1 the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God

• “The Christian comfort is the comfort which brings courage, the comfort which enables a person to cope with all that life can do to him” Barclay

1. The Compassionate Heart of the Father

Luke 15:20"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

Romans 9:15"I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."

1. The Compassionate Heart of the Father

James 5:11The Lord is full of compassion and mercy

Bring this kind of hope to the heartache that plagues this world

2. Christ’s compassion compels us

Mark 1:40ff"If you are willing, you can make me clean." 41Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!"42Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.

2. Christ’s compassion compels us

Mark 1:4343Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 44"See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them." 

The compassionate heart of God calls us on to bring hope to the heartache of this world

2. Christ’s compassion compels us

Mt 9:35-38 (Msg) – when he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep without a shepherdMany times, out of Christ’s compassion, he quite simply just helps people where they are atMt 14:14 – Jesus compassion healed

their sickMt 15:32 – Jesus compassion gives

them something to eat

3. Bring Hope to heartache

Phil 2:1-4If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

3. Bring Hope to heartache

Colossians 3:12-14Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved (he is saying since you have Christ in your hearts, be fully what you profess to believe), clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Rom 12:15 …weep with those who weep

The compassionate heart of God calls us on to bring hope to the heartache of this world