JESUS CARES!

“Jesus wept.” (John 11:35, NIV)

This is the shortest verse in the Bible, but also one of the most powerful.  Why?  To me, it very clearly shows the compassion of Christ.  Jesus saw Mary’s sorrow over her brother Lazarus’ death and “He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled” (John 11:33).  Then He wept.  If Jesus, being God of the universe, showed such compassion to others, how much more should we?

It saddens me that in our churches and world today, compassion for the lost and others who are suffering is absent.  This is not the way Christ intends it to be.  As  Christians, we need to be showing the compassion of Christ to those who need it.  Most of us are familiar with the passage in Matthew 25:31-46, which depicts the judgment on the great day when Christ returns.   It states that when Jesus returns in all His glory, all the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the sheep from the goats.  What is the distinguishing characteristic that separates the sheep from the goats?  “For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.  I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me” (vs. 35-36).   We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, not by works.  However, this passage makes it clear that a life lived demonstrating the compassion of Christ towards others will be a reflection of whether or not we are truly saved.

Are you a sheep or a goat?  Do you reach out to others around you who are suffering?  There are many people in our world today who are hurting and lonely.  They need to know and experience Christ’s love and compassion first-hand.  Jesus came to earth to minister to a hurting world.  How much more should we?

Dear Jesus, give us the compassion to reach out to those you put in our path each day.  Help us to show each one your love and mercy.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.