Saturday, December 22, 2012

Compassion of God

Pam Padgett ... teacher

When a ruler of the synagogue, Jairus, fell down at Jesus' feet and asked Him to go to his house and help his daughter who was dying, Jesus went.... 

Luke 8:41 And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus 'feet, and besought him that he would come into his house: 42 For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him. 

But as He went, Jesus realized that someone had touched Him ....

Luke 8:43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, 44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. 45 And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 46 And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.


The woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years and had spent all her money to pay doctors but they could not heal her, had been healed when she touched the border of Jesus' garment.  She came trembling and falling down before Jesus, telling why she had touched His garment and that she had been immediately healed.  And Jesus told her to be of good comfort and go in peace ....

Luke 8:47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. 48 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

Even though word came that Jarius' daughter had died, Jesus proceeded to his house, telling Jarius to not fear, but to believe ... 

Luke 8:49 While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. 50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.

When Jesus took the daughter by the hand and told her to rise, her spirit returned and she rose.  And Jesus directed that she be given meat. 

Luke 8:51 And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. 52 And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. 53 And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. 54 And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. 55 And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.

While reading the account of both Jarius and the woman who was healed, the compassion of Jesus toward those who turned to Him for help stood out to me.  Jarius was concerned for his daughter and Jesus went with him.  When news that his daughter had died came, Jesus strengthened Jarius by telling him not to fear and to believe.  In addition to restoring the daughter's life, Jesus also knew that she needed to eat, and instructed that she be fed.

Likewise, when the woman who had been ill for so long came trembling and confessed that she had touched His garment and been healed, Jesus showed compassion as He spoke kindly to her telling her to be of good comfort and go in peace. 

As we live on this earth we are flesh and face many problems and afflictions in the flesh.  It is comforting to consider these examples of compassion and help.  God cares for His children, knows what is best for us, and provides what we need to be helped as we turn to Him.  I was reminded of the following ...

Psalm 103:13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.  14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.