Have Compassion

MEMORY SELECTION: “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.” —Matthew 14:14

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Matthew 15:29-39

JESUS was anointed to preach the Gospel, (Isa. 61:1) and this commission he carried out with zeal and with an undivided purpose. He not only taught the people concerning the kingdom, but he demonstrated by his many miracles of healing the works that would be accomplished in the kingdom. His lessons were warm and meaningful. It was said of his teaching, “He taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all,” and again, “All bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth.” (Luke 4:15,22) His words were gracious and comforting to the people because they were uttered in the spirit of love and the spirit of the truth.

The wonderful miracles which Jesus performed were not done in a perfunctory manner either, but they also were motivated by love and compassion for the people. The actions of Jesus in all these things were a reflection of God’s love, which was manifested to Jesus by the Holy Spirit.

The miracles which Jesus performed also gave authenticity to his ministry, that is, they were proof that he was the Messiah. Many of the people believed because of the miracles, as recorded in John 6:14,15: “Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that Prophet that should come into the world. When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.”

The two miracles of feeding large groups of people who followed him were the means of leading into one of the most profound lessons taught by our Lord. Apparently, Jesus discerned that many of the people who followed him were interested in the material rewards—the loaves and fishes. This prompted the following statement from Jesus: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.” (John 6:26,27) They then asked Jesus what they should do to work the works of God. Jesus answered that they should believe on him. Then they asked for a sign, stating that Moses had given them the sign of manna—bread from heaven. Jesus answered, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.” (John 6:32,33) In this scripture Jesus is affirming the fact that it is through him that mankind will have a full opportunity for life in God’s own due time and way.

Manna was certainly the means of sustaining the life of the children of Israel while they were in the desert. But this life-sustaining bread failed them eventually, because they all died. But Jesus stated that the real bread will give everlasting life, and that he is that true bread. The question then remains as to how they are to partake of this true bread.

Jesus answered this question in subsequent verses 44,45, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” It is evident that, at first, the opportunity to be “saved” is to be limited to those whom the Lord calls. These are to be taught of God, and whoever has an ear to hear and respond will come to Jesus. But to partake of this wonderful bread of life now, it is necessary to follow the instructions of the Apostle Paul, “I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present [or yield] your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”(Rom. 12:1) Those who carry out such a complete and unreserved consecration during this Gospel Age will receive life in the ultimate sense—the divine nature. The world will have their opportunity to partake of the bread in the kingdom and to earn everlasting life here on the earth if obedient to God’s laws.

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