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Scripture Reading: Matthew 9:35-38

Matthew 9:35-38: The Messiah's Compassion

Intro.

1.  God’s compassion through the Messiah, Micah 7:18-20.

2.  Compassion:  “to have pity, a feeling of distress through the ills of others...to be moved as to one’s inwards...to have mercy... to show kindness” (Vine, I:218).

  a.  “Denotes the inward feeling of compassion which abides in the heart” (Thayer, 203).

  b.  It moves and motivates a corresponding action, Heb. 4:15, “be touched with” (sympathy).

  c.  Put on a heart of compassion, Col. 3:12.

3.  Matt. 9:35-38: Jesus is the model of compassion; our example.

I.  COMPASSION SEEN IN HIS PREACHING, Matt. 9:35.

  A.  Preaching the Truth is an Expression of God’s Compassion for Mankind, Mk. 6:34.

    1.  Power and wisdom of God (means of salvation), 1 Co. 1:18-25.

      a.  Today, many think when the gospel is plainly preached we are not showing compassion for the sinner. (“Judging”)

      b.  Exactly the opposite should be seen!

    2.  Warnings against sin, 2 Tim. 4:1-5 (cf. Jesus, Mk. 1:14-15).

    3.  Become mature in Christ, Col. 1:24-29.

    4.  When we preach the gospel for these purposes we are showing the Master’s compassion on those who hear.

II. COMPASSION SEEN IN HIS MIRACLES, Matt. 9:35 (Acts 10:38).

  A.  Jesus was Deeply Touched by the Tragic Circumstances People Faced in Life.

    1.  “Why did Jesus perform miracles?”

      a.  “To prove He was the Messiah” (Jno. 5:36).

      b.  His miracles due to and prove His compassion for the afflicted.

    2.  Motive: Compassion of God; Effect: Drawing and confirming evidence of His Sonship (14:14; 15:32).

  B.  The Motive of Compassion Will Compel Us to Help Relieve Suffering.           

    1.  Love neighbor as self, Lk. 10:33-34.

    2.  Expression of faith, Jas. 2:14-16.

    3.  The love of God imitated, 1 Jno. 3:17-18.

III.  COMPASSION FOR THE LOST, Matt. 9:36-38.

  A.  Because of the Effects of Sin, 9:36.

    1.  Weary (“to dissolve; metaph. to weaken, exhaust…to despond, become faint-hearted”), Matt. 11:28; Gal. 6:1.

    2.  Scattered (“to throw with a sudden motion, to jerk…cast, hurl, to be cast down”; and so, without direction, guidance), Jno. 14:6; 8:12; 10:11.

  B.  Jesus was Aware of the Harvest, Matt. 9:37.

    1.  Souls ready to be harvested (saved), Jno. 4:35.

    2.  His will was the Father’s - that none perish, Matt. 18:12-14.

  C.  We Must Be Compassionate toward the Lost, Matt. 9:38.

    1.  Be prayerful laborers, 9:38.

      a.  On this particular occasion, Jesus did not say to pray for: Their salvation (Rom. 10:1); those who are preaching (2 Ths. 3:1); Responses (1 Tim. 2:1).

      b.  He said pray for workers! Without workers all else is futile!

    2.  Give light through the gospel, Acts 26:18.

    3.  Assist, showing kindness, Jude 22.

    4.  Be forgiving as God is, Matt. 18:27, 33, 35.

    5.  Have we never sinned?  Never needed compassion? Never experienced God’s mercy? cf. Matt. 9:11-13

Conclusion

1.  God’s compassion has made our spiritual healing possible, Micah 7:18-19; Titus 3:4-5.

2.  Jesus is the embodiment of God’s compassion toward us; His preaching, his acts of mercy, his labor to save sinners.

3.  Jesus calls on us to have the kind of compassion toward all men.