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Christ’s Saving Compassion - Evangelical Caucus/Devotional
Gracetoyou.org ^ | 2008 | John MacArthur, Grace Community Church

Posted on 08/30/2025 3:09:33 AM PDT by metmom

“Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36).

Jesus felt compassion for the crowds as only the Son of God could feel. It is among God’s attributes to love and care because “God is love” (1 John 4:8). The term for “felt compassion” literally refers to the intestines, and most often occurs in Scripture with the figurative reference to the emotions, the way we use “heart” today. But Jesus’ concern was not just symbolic. He no doubt physically felt the symptoms of genuine caring—ones such as aching and nausea when encountering the agony of people’s struggles with sin and hardship. In order to fulfill prophecy, “He Himself took our infirmities and carried away our diseases” (Matt. 8:17).

Of course Jesus did not physically contract people’s diseases and infirmities. But in deep, heartfelt compassion and sympathy, He physically and emotionally suffered with all who approached Him for relief. He was not unlike the concerned father who becomes ill from worry about a desperately sick child, or for one in danger or difficulty.

After Jesus had been in a boat following the death of John the Baptist, crowds sought Him and He “felt compassion for them and healed their sick” (Matt. 14:14). Shortly after that, Jesus told the Twelve of His real concern for the masses who had no food on hand (15:30–32). But our Lord’s omniscience saw an infinitely greater need in people’s lives—the profound, pervasive nature of their sin and their desperate plight of spiritual blindness and lostness. Of this horrific condition He was most compassionate of all.

Ask Yourself

Without already knowing Him, this is not what most of us would expect from the One who created the universe and continues to sustain it by His mere word.

A God who cares?

Worship Him today for this gracious quality of His.


TOPICS: Evangelical Christian; Theology; Worship
KEYWORDS: gty

1 posted on 08/30/2025 3:09:33 AM PDT by metmom
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To: Alex Murphy; boatbums; CynicalBear; daniel1212; ealgeone; Elsie; Gamecock; HossB86; Iscool; ...

Studying God’s Word ping.


2 posted on 08/30/2025 3:17:21 AM PDT by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus….)
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To: metmom

Thanks For Being With Me Today

How I love You Lord Jesus and just want to lift up my voice of thanks and gratitude for all that You are to me and for Your many precious promises that are ‘yes’ and ‘amen’ in Christ Jesus my Lord.

You have graciously watched over me every day of my life and every moment of each day. From the day I was conceived, Your hand of blessing has been upon me. You protected me in the womb, You were there when I drew my first breath and You are with me every step of the way. You have gone before me and yet You are there behind me. You are above me and You are below me as well, holding me up by Your righteous right hand. You are with me and You indwell me and I thank You that You chose me before the foundation of the world to be Your child.

When I was afraid You were there to reassure me, and when I fell You picked me up and set my feet on the right path. When the way was dark and gloomy, You lighted my path, and when sadness hit my life, You were there to comfort and succour me. Oh and Lord, on those days when I proved faithless, You in Your grace remained faithful and true, for You cannot deny Your holy name.

I love You Lord, for there is no-one like unto You. Thank You, for being my Lord and my God. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/prayer/thanks-for-being-with-me-today-1067


3 posted on 08/30/2025 10:23:18 AM PDT by ViLaLuz (2 Chronicles 7:14)
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To: ViLaLuz

Amen!


4 posted on 08/30/2025 12:59:39 PM PDT by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus….)
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