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Jesus Felt Compassion - Mark 8:2
Jesus Felt Compassion - Mark 8:2
"In those days, when there was again a large crowd and they had nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples and *said to them, "I feel compassion for the people because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat" (Mark 8:1-2).
Mark mentions this aspect of Jesus several times:
Mark 1:41 41 Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and *said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed."
Mark 6:34 34 When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things.
Mark 9:22 22 "It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!"
(See also Matt. 9:36; 14:14; 15:32; 20:34; Luke 7:13; 15:20).
God is said to feel compassion towards us: “Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him” (Psalms 103:13). When the Word became flesh (John 1:14), compassion was still part of his character. Concerning this aspect of the incarnation, the Hebrew writer states: “Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted” (Hebrews 2:17-18). And again: “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:14-15). Jesus had compassion upon the people.
We need to remember this on those dark days we are tempted to slide into a ‘pity party’ and think no one cares or understands. Jesus does! He KNOWS and He Cares. We can remind ourselves by singing the hymn “Does Jesus Care” and especially the chorus: “O, yes, He cares, I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief; When the days are weary, The long night dreary, I know my Savior cares.” (Hymns For Worship #466). As Peter instructs: “entrust your souls to a faithful creator “ (1Pet. 4:19), and cast “all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1Pet. 5:7).
Hugh DeLong
