"To Know the Love of the Christ"-Conclusion of "He Was Moved With Pity"

Jesus "was moved with pity" for the bereaved mother in a reassuring tone, he said to her:  ""Stop weeping."  Unbidden, he approached and touched the bier.  The bearers - and perhaps the rest of the crowd-came to a halt. With the voice of authority, Jesus spoke to the lifeless body:  " Young man, I say to you, Get up!"  What happened next? "The dead man sat up and started to speak" as if awakened from a deep sleep! Then follows a most touching statement:  "And Jesus gave him to his mother."


What do we learn from these account?  In each case, notice the connection between compassion and action.  Jesus could not see the plight of others without being moved with pity, and he could not feel such compassion without acting on it.  How can we follow his example?  As Christians, we have an obligation to preach the good news and to make disciples.  Primarily, we are motivated by love for God. Let us remember, though, that this is also a work of compassion.  When we feel for people as Jesus did, our heart will move us to do all we can to share the good news with them.  (Matthew 22:37-39)  What about showing compassion to fellow believers who are suffering or grieving?  We cannot miraculously  cure physical suffering or raise the dead.  However,  we can put compassion into action by taking the initiative to express our concern or provide appropriate practical help. -Ephesians 4:32.


Next time: "To Know the Love of the Christ" - "Father, Forgive Them"


From the book: Draw Close to Jehovah