What Happens When Jesus is Moved With Compassion

Recently, I was reading in Matthew 20 where Jesus asked two blind men, “What do you want me to do for you?” They said, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.”

I love what the Scripture says next: “Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him” (Matthew 20.32-34, NET).

Mark tells about a man with leprosy who “came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed.” The man said, “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.”

Again, Scripture reports, “Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be healed!’ Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed” (see Mark 1.40-42).

There are other similar occurrences in Scripture. Each time Jesus feeds the multitudes, we’re told, Jesus “had compassion on them” (e.g., Mark 6.34; Mark 8.2; Matthew 14.14).

Often, when Jesus saw crowds of people who seemed lost, he was moved with compassion.

I’ve always loved Matthew 9.35-38

35 Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 He said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is great, but the workers are few. 38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.’

Jesus’ compassion always leads to action, whether healing, feeding, providing, or calling others to serve!

What would it look like if we too were moved with compassion?

God, break our hearts for what breaks yours!

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Randy Willis

Pastor

Follower of Jesus. Husband to Joleen. Dad to Ethan & Sarah. Pastor to Wehnwood UMC.

7 thoughts on “What Happens When Jesus is Moved With Compassion”

  1. Amen! This is something I think about often. True compassion moves people to act. Compassion is an expression of Godly love towards others. Though we do have to try and make wise judgements in life, we can also choose to judge people and situations less and be moved with compassion more to love, serve, and care for others. Maybe we can treat others as we’d appreciate being treated and ask how we can help someone who is struggling. We are all part of God’s creation and all have intrinsic value as human beings and individuals with souls. Thank you for these verses and thoughts.

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  2. I’m in a season of learning less about expecting from man, and more from God. I’m expecting God’s compassion. I won’t be disappointed! I’ll give from His fountain ⛲.

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