Jesus, Manifestation of God's Compassion by Peggy Capps "But thou O Lord, art a God full of compassion and gracious, long-suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth." Psalm 86:15 I want to focus on the word "compassion". The word compassion is used in the scriptures in the Old Testament as "merciful". Lamentations 3:22 says, "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed because His compassions fail not. Psalm 78:38 says, "But he, being full of compassion forgave their iniquity." As we approach the Christmas season, let's think about Jesus who was the manifestation of God's compassion (mercy) for us. Sometimes we look at the meaning of the word compassion and just pass over it. The dictionary explanation of the word means: to show pity or mercy...sympathy...suffering with another, sorrow for the distress or misfortune of another with the desire to help Thank God for looking down to earth and being compassionate on us and sending Jesus to the earth to redeem us and give us a new life. When Jesus came, He began to show us God's mercy (compassion.). Mark 6:34 says, "And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd." There are many scriptures that say, "Jesus was moved with compassion". Matthew 15:32 ----compassion because they had nothing to eat. Matthew 20:34 ----compassion and healed their sight Luke 7:13-14 ----compassion and raised the woman's dead son Mark 1:41-42 ----compassion and healed a leper Jesus ministered to people because of compassion. Should not we have the same compassion (sorrow for the distress or misfortune of others with the desire to help...kindness and tenderness...) toward our fellowman, showing God's love toward the whole world? For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) Back to Newsletter Index.
