Matt. 15:32-39, COMPASSION vs. indifference (1)

1)    Definition: Investing whatever is necessary to heal the hurts of others.

2)    Scripture: Prov. 14:21,31; 21:13; 24:11-12; Matt. 5:7; 6:2-4; Lk. 12:33; Rom. 12:8; Heb. 4:16; Jas. 2:13; 1 John 3:17.

3)    Underlying Principle: Beneath the commands to be merciful and compassionate is the truth that God is merciful and has been merciful to us.  God is rich in mercy, showing it through His great love with which He loved us (Eph. 2:4).  He has saved us, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy (Titus 3:5).  We have been born again according to His abundant mercy (1 Peter 1:3).

4)    Illustration: 2 Samuel 9.  David had a deep love for his friend Jonathan.  But Jonathan had died.  So David expressed his love for Jonathan through mercy to Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan.  Mephibosheth acknowledged that it was mercy when he responded, what is your servant, that you should look upon such a dead dog as I (9:8).

5)    Bible Study:

a)    One of the chief qualities of Jesus’ life was His compassionate attitude toward the needy.  In the following passages note how Jesus acted compassionately.

i)      Mark 6:34: Here we see Jesus’ great understanding of what really causes people to hurt.  Jesus … saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd.  Thus, what did Jesus do that was so compassionate?  So He began to teach them many things.  People need a shepherd; without that kind of loving leadership they are susceptible to all the problems of sheep: lack of good food, weakness, sickness, brokenness and losing their way (Ezek. 34:4).

ii)   Matthew 14:14:  This is an interesting companion passage with the previous one.  Here Jesus saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.  It is the same story, leading to the feeding of the five thousand.  He did both: teach and heal.  Matthew and Mark, by the Spirit, saw something different.  But what they saw was prompted by Jesus’ compassion.

iii)            Matthew 15:32-39:  Again, the setting for the feeding of the four thousand, is the same: Jesus had compassion on the multitude.  Remember that these events were teaching moments for His disciples.  We should not turn away from the hurts of people just because they are immense.  In our relationship with Christ, we have access to His great and compassionate ability, even to the point that there are baskets left over!