Jesus’ Compassion: The Heart of Missional Livingનમૂનો

Day #2: Psalm 103:1–5

Why were people surprised, even disconcerted, by Jesus’ profound compassion for lost and hurting people? Was it, perhaps, because they had never seen a human being who so closely resembled God? Careful watchers of Jesus who were also careful readers of Israel’s Scriptures surely noticed the family likeness! Take, for example, the portrait of God in Psalm 103.

This psalm is bound by calls to bless the Lord, that is, to give him thanks for what he does and to honor and exalt him for who he is. Within that outer frame of blessing, the psalmist presents a portrait of the God of Israel that comes alive in Jesus, who shows us “God with skin on.” The first “blessing” is motivated by all the “benefits” the psalmist has experienced from God—forgiveness of sin and healing of disease, redemption from “the pit,” steadfast love and compassion, and satisfaction with good things (vv. 1–5). Compare this to Luke’s summary of Jesus’ ministry to the multitudes: “They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them” (Luke 6:18–19, NRSV).

Psalm 103 goes on to underscore the qualities of the Lord—justice, righteousness, mercy, grace, forgiveness, compassion (vv. 6–18). His compassion is motivated by his detailed knowledge of how weak human beings truly are, and his steadfast love surrounds them like a father’s arms around his beloved children. This is precisely what we saw yesterday in Jesus’ response to the crowds in Matthew 9.

Jesus’ compassion reflects the heart of his Father. And those sent by Jesus (as in Matthew 10) are to reflect his compassionate posture and response towards the ones they meet and serve.