The Life and Ministry of Jesus
Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Mark 1:40–41
Our Lord was “filled with compassion,” which describes a visceral reaction on Jesus’ part. He felt it in his stomach. Jesus’ reaction went beyond pity and sympathy or even empathy. It was “not just mind for mind, hand for hand, or even heart for heart, but stomach for stomach, blood for blood, gut for gut, Jesus feels His way into the leper’s needs.”
We all understand this when we have a desperately sick brother or sister or child. It was gut-wrenching compassion. What super-exalted revelation of the Son’s and the Father’s hearts we see here! Take this to your heart and hold it there with all you have. The Servant-Savior has compassion for your leprosy heart for heart, gut for gut. He does more than understand. He felt the full weight of your sins on the Cross. Take heart! There is Someone who compassionately feels with you for the effects of sin in your life. 1
Personal Encouragement
To be moved with compassion, means you have taken time to embrace the hurt and brokenness of another. Will you purposely take time to show compassion to someone unexpectedly today? It may even be someone in your own household!
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. Psalm 103:8
When you are moving with the Spirit, you will be moved with compassion.
A Prayer
Lord, thank You for the touch of compassion, always at the right moment.
1. Hughes, R. K. (1989). Mark: Jesus, servant and savior. Westchester, IL: Crossway Books.
