135. A Portrait of Jesus.

He was moved with compassion on them. - Matthew 9:36.

THE expression is very strong (eorn tayxvtoOrn). All that was within him was stirred by the sight which he beheld. He was full of emotion, and showed it in his whole person.

His yearning compassions gathered around (nept) the people.

· Exhibit the picture of Jesus under strong emotion.

· This is a portrait of him as he appeared on many occasions.

· Indeed, the words before us might sum up his entire life.

Let us behold his compassion as manifested in—

I. THE GREAT TRANSACTIONS OF HIS LIFE.

1. The Eternal Covenant, in its conception, arranging, provisions, etc., is full of compassion to men.

2. The Incarnation of our Lord shows matchless compassion.

3. His living in the flesh among men declares it.

4. His bearing the death penalty is the highest fruit of it.

5. His intercession for sinners proves its continuance.

This is a wide subject. In every act of his grace the Lord of love manifests tender pity to men.

II. THE SPECIAL INSTANCES RECORDED BY THE EVANGELISTS.

l. In Matthew 15:32, we see a fainting crowd, hungry, etc.

· A crowd is a sad sight: a crowd, when faint, is far more so.

· Such crowds are perishing in our cities today.

2. In Matthew 14:14, the sick are most prominent in the throng.

· Jesus lived in a vast hospital, himself suffering, as well as healing, the diseases of men.

· None can tell how deep is his pity for suffering humanity.

3. In the case mentioned in the text, he saw an ignorant, neglected, perishing crowd.

· The sorrows, dangers, and sins of spiritual ignorance are great.

· The Lord Jesus is the Shepherd of the unshepherded.

4. In Matthew 20:34, we see the blind. Jesus pities spiritual blindness.

· Dwell upon the interesting details of the two blind men.

5. In Mark 1:41, we see the leper. Christ pities sin-polluted men.

· Jesus compassionated the man who said "If thou wilt, thou canst.

6. In Mark 5:19, we have the demoniac. Jesus pities tempted souls.

· The man out of whom he cast a legion of devils was to be dreaded, but the Lord gave him nothing but compassion.

· He pities rather than blames those sore vexed by the devil.

7. In Luke 7:13, we meet with the widow of Nain. The bereaved, the widow and fatherless are specially near to the heart of Jesus.

These instances should encourage similar cases to hope in our Lord.

III. THE FORESIGHTS OF COMPASSION.

Knowing our ignorance, needs, sorrows the Lord Jesus has provided beforehand for our wants:

1. The Bible for our guidance and comfort.

2. The minister to speak as man to man, tenderly, experimentally.

3. The Holy Spirit to comfort us, and help our infirmity, in prayer, etc.

4. The mercy-seat as our constant resort.

5. The promises to be our perpetual food.

6. The ordinances to help our memories, and make truth vivid to us. The whole system reveals a most compassionate Savior.

IV. OUR PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS PROVE THIS COMPASSION. Let us remember how tenderly he dealt with us.

1. He tempered our convictions with intervals of hope.

2. He ended them ere they drove us to despair.

3. He has moderated our afflictions, and sustained us under them.

4. He has taught us, as we have been able to bear it. "I have many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now."

5. He has put us to graduated tasks.

6. He has returned to us in love after our backslidings. Let us trust in this divine mercifulness for ourselves. Let us commend it to those around us.

Let us imitate it in dealing compassionately with our fellows.