Jesus’ Compassion: The Heart of Missional LivingSample

Day #6: Mark 1:40–45

Moving now to Mark’s Gospel, we discover that Jesus’ compassion is at the heart of his life and ministry, even when he is faced with people who are marginalized, unlovely, and perhaps repulsive. In Mark 1:40 45, a leper breaks all the social, cultural, religious, and medical protocols of his day by approaching Jesus. This highly contagious and frequently rejected human being somehow knows that getting close to Jesus could completely rewrite his story and reorder his existence.

From where he knelt in the dirt at Jesus’ feet, this man made a very revealing statement. “If you choose, you can make me clean” (v. 40). The man did not doubt Jesus’ power to heal; his underlying question was about Jesus’ character. Was Jesus willing to heal him? He knew enough about Jesus to have confidence in his ability, but he didn’t have a personal relationship with him, and so, he wasn’t sure if he could trust him.

Verse 41 is a key declaration early in Mark’s story, which is dedicated to revealing what it means that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of God” (1:1). Mark underscores here that Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, is “moved with compassion” (the exact phrase we saw repeatedly in Matthew). Some versions say, “moved with pity,” but that is too soft and mushy, as if Jesus “felt sorry for” the man. Jesus’ compassion is like a tidal wave that bursts out of the deepest part of his being—it’s who he is—and it does not remain in the realm of feeling or sentiment. Jesus’ compassion fuels redemptive action. First, Jesus touches the man—an incredibly courageous and compassionate act! It may have been years since this man last felt the physical touch of another human being. Then Jesus assures the man that his character matches his power: “I am willing! I do choose to make you clean!” And with a word, the man is immediately restored to health. Mark is inviting us to look at this episode and say, “Aha! This is what the Christ, the Son of God, is like!”