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).

MOTIVE

EFFECT

Called them, Matt. 20:32-33

Sight-Followed, Matt. 20:33-34

Stretched--touched, Mk. 1:40-41

Proclaimed much, Mk. 1:45

Do not weep, Luke 7:13

Fear, glorified God; report went out, Lk. 7:16-17

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.