KNOWING OUR SAVIOR - The Compassionate Christ

What a week it’s been. I think I’ve been more stirred and troubled by the footage of George Floyd and all that has ensued since than any one aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic. The world around us is SPIRALING quickly downward. Sure, maybe this is just one of those weird times in history where things get crazy, and maybe it will calm down soon. Maybe it’s the birth pains coming more quickly together before God does something more…maybe before Christ comes back! One thing is for sure, the world will not be the same in the future as it was a week ago, definitely not three months ago. Another sure thing: everyone has an opinion.

Well, since it’s my week to share our blog lesson, I guess that’s as good a reason as any to share my opinion. It’s time for compassion. As a Christian, I find myself so at odds with the opinion of society that I responding to all the bad things happening in the world like this: “Well that’s what we can expect in a broken world full of sin.” But something else happened to me this week. I watched that footage, I saw the lack of feeling in a man sworn to serve and protect, and it changed me. It changed me as a husband and father…as a leader…and as a Christian.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not pro-riot. I don’t condone violence for violence. However, I am hearing and understanding the voices of those I have not taken the time to hear or understand in the past. Sure, many of those voices are attached to people who are serving themselves, looting for profit, rioting out of hatred, and so on. Many others are saying, “See. It’s different for us. Help us.”

As we turn our focus to Christ this week, I don’t want to make this lesson about this one issue that our society is facing this week. Rather, I want to encourage all of us to know Christ more closely, and get a sense for the compassion He had…and maybe pray that He can give us that same compassion, to all regardless of who they are.

So, let’s look at how compassionate Jesus was toward others. As you read this, please think of that word…compassion. It means “feeling or showing sympathy or concern for another.” As we’ll see from Christ, compassion isn’t pity; it’s sharing the pain. The prefix “com” means “together.”

Indeed, Christ’s compassion was focused on things beyond race and earthly justice. However, Christ had compassion for those on the margins. Let’s look at a few examples of Christ’s compassion:

–         Compassion for the Hungry (Mark 8:2)

o   I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat.

–         Compassion for the Sick (Matthew 14:14)

o   When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

–         Compassion for the Blind (Matthew20:29-34)             

o   ²⁹ Now as they went out of Jericho, a great multitude followed Him. ³⁰ And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!” ³¹ Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!” ³² So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” ³³ They said to Him, “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.” ³⁴ So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.

–         Compassion for the Leper (Mark 1:40-41)

o   ⁴⁰ Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”⁴¹ Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”

–         Compassion for Grieving (Luke 7:12-15)

o   ¹² And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. ¹³ When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” ¹⁴ Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” ¹⁵ So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.

–         Compassion for the Lost (Matthew 9:35-38)

o   ³⁵ Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. ³⁶ But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. ³⁷ Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. ³⁸ Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Jesus Christ was more than just a man of emotion, though; he was a man of action. Jesus didn’t go about His work from a cold sense of duty, but His own heart drew Him out towards those He helped and saved. His deeds of mercy cost Him something more than the sacrifice of leisure and the expenditure of effort and power. They cost him heartaches. He made other men's sorrows His own sorrows, other men's agony His own agony, other men's sin and shame His own sin and shame. He could not look upon misery, pain, death or sin without heart pangs.

I’ll close with Christ’s call to action for us as His followers. He does not ask us to turn our heads to stay comfortable or ignorant. I don’t even think he allows us to do that. Read these closing scriptures from the Sermon on the Mount and consider: compassion that leads to action will cost us something – money, time, leisure, comfort, pain, friends and family, reputation, everything up to and including our lives. But we will gain so much more!

The Light of the World – Matthew 5:14

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Love Your Enemies – Matthew 5:43-48

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,^{[h] 45} that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. ⁴⁶ For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷ And if you greet your brethren^[i] only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors^[j] do so? ⁴⁸ Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

KNOWING OUR SAVIOR - The Frustrated Christ

You might be surprised by this, but I have a little bit of a temper. It’s not a freak-out, turn red with rage, throw and punch stuff temper, but I can get peeved. To steal a line from Wreck-It Ralph, my passion bubbles near the surface. It used to be much worse, but I credit the Holy Spirit for toning me down a little over the years.

Today as we consider Christ, I thought I’d share a few examples of when he got frustrated. Now Christ’s anger and mine are very different. My anger is usually when something doesn’t go my way – a selfish anger. Christ’s frustrations were motivated differently. Check out these examples:

·         LACK OF FAITH IN HIM - Mark 9: 14-19  - When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.

“What are you arguing with them about?” he asked.

A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”

“You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

o   Christ rebuked the disciples, not for lacking faith in themselves, but for lacking faith in His power, which he had given them. Think about similar responses from Christ, like when Peter began to sink after walking on water, or the disciples were afraid of the storm. Christ wants us to trust in His power. While that might look different today than in the disciples day, the lesson still applies.

·         PUTTING ONE’S OWN DESIRES ABOVE GOD’S - Matthew 16:21-23 – From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

o   Although he cared for Jesus, Peter was still looking for a different Messiah than what God intended His Son to be. Peter questioned Jesus’ very mission, and Christ confirmed that denying His mission was the work of the devil. The same can be said for anytime we put our desires above the Lord’s will.

 

·         John 2:13-17 – When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.” This was the opportunity to atone for sin – the symbol God put in place before Christ would fulfill it – and they had turned it into a business venture – an obstacle for others to come to God

o   Christ gives His own explanation for His frustration. It’s pretty self-explanatory. Jewish leaders were making significant profits on their people, right there in the Temple court, to exploit the fact that they needed animals to fulfill their sacrificial obligations.

o   But how did others view this? Wasn’t He concerned about His image? Of course not. Everything Jesus did was with purpose, and in doing this, He not only stopped a practice disapproved by God, but He made an example to all in attendance. I have to think many were convicted by Jesus’ actions.

·         SIN IN THE CHURCH – Revelation 2 & 3

o   I won’t review all these chapters, but if you’re familiar with Revelation, you know that Christ addresses the various Churches, crediting their acts of righteousness while exposing their sins, such as:

§  Ephesus – “Lost their first love”

§  Pergamum and Thyatira –Prostitution/fornication and idolatry

§  Sardis – “Dead” (going through the motions but heart not in it)

§  Laodicea – “Lukewarm” (spoiled/entitled)

o   Considering Christ’s words to the Churches, it’s a good time to remember these messages are for us as well. We’re not perfect, but I’d rather act in a way that brings Christ’s approval, like we looked at last week, rather than His criticism.

I hope it’s been helpful to consider these aspects of Jesus’ personality and ministry. Ultimately, Christ is frustrated when we misrepresent God or fail to respond to Him, and His frustration seems to reach its righteous peak when confronted with sin among those who are supposed to be “in” – the Church and Nation of Israel.

Next week, we’ll discuss the compassionate Christ. Until then, have a great Memorial Day week!

Knowing Our Savior - The Approval of Christ

It looks like the days for our reconnection in person might be coming soon (for those of us who are comfortable with it). I’m excited about that. I miss coming together with you all, and this blogging is really not my wheelhouse. I’m thankful for Ben and Bobby and the great lessons they have been putting together.

For the next few weeks, I thought it might be nice to spend time focusing on the personality of Jesus. Knowing Jesus is knowing God. Those who spent time with Him knew Him intimately, and it’s no coincidence that those who knew Him the best made the biggest impact for Him. The Twelve Apostles got to know him, not as just the Messiah, but as a friend. Even Paul, who did not know Jesus in the flesh, came to know Him through the Holy Spirit and the Apostles.

Question for you. How do you view Christ?

•        As a character on the pages of scripture (albeit the most important character)?
•          As the image we’ve seen in movies, pictures, etc?
•          As a man with real cares, needs, and personality?

For our first look at the Personality of Jesus, I thought we’d consider those times when we saw His approval of others. It’s at these times when I picture Christ with a warm smile, like a proud parent, witnessing and recognizing the “redeeming qualities” in those he interacted with. Think back to your childhood. How did it make you feel when a parent or teacher was proud of you? Seeing Jesus in this way is motivating for me, as it makes me want to act in such a way that might bring a smile to His face.

Consider these scriptures where Christ offers praise/compliments to others (this is not an exhaustive list):

·         Matthew 8:5-13 - Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant - Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him,  saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.” And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.  For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!  And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.  But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”  Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.

·         Matthew 15:21-28 - ²¹ Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. ²² And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” ²³ But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” ²⁴ But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” ²⁵ Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” ²⁶ But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” ²⁷ And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” ²⁸ Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

·         Matthew 16:15-19 - He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.  And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.  And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed[d] in heaven.”

·         Luke 21:1-4 - And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, ² and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. ³ So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; ⁴ for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God,^[a] but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”

·         John 15:14-15 - ¹⁴ You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. ¹⁵ No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. (This is following Christ giving his disciples the new commandment to “Love one another.”)

We see Christ offering praise for various reasons in scripture, but primarily we see him acknowledging faith. He also builds up Peter, preparing him for kingdom service. He acknowledges the widow for her sacrifice. He offers friendship to the obedient – I mean, what more approval do we need than the friendship of Christ?

Service, sacrifice, obedience…these things are all born of faith.

We all seek approval – some need it more than others, but an “atta boy” makes us feel good, right? However, that can be a dangerous temptation if we’re not careful. Sure, receiving praise from others is not something we should feel bad about, but seeking the approval of other people for our own ego is contrary to God’s purposes. If we chase that feeling, we would likely find ourselves making compromises for the sake of man rather than walking with God.

·         1 Thessalonians 2:4 - On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.

·         1 Corinthians 1:26-31 - ²⁶ Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. ²⁷ But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸ God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹ so that no one may boast before him. ³⁰ It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. ³¹ Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

So, to obtain the approval of Christ – we must be faithful – obeying His command to love one another. We must sacrifice and serve. In the parable of the talents, the master said “Well done, good and faithful servant. To those servants who returned on His investment. They bore fruit with what he gave them. Sure, we know we are not justified by works – but the fruit we bear is a reflection of our relationship with Christ – the closer we are to Him, the more fruit we will bear. In fact, He bears fruit through us. So let us strive for that, the day when we will see His face, and maybe see Him smile at us as He welcomes us home.