
In Matthew 9, as Jesus advanced his ministry, he healed many people who were sick and restored others to life. He first healed a paralytic man who was brought to him on a bed. The scribes felt that Jesus had blasphemed, because he forgave the man of his sins. Around the same time, Jesus called Matthew who was a Tax Collector, to join his ministry. The Pharisees also criticised Jesus for eating at Matthew’s house. “But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick” (Matthew 9:12). The sickness which Jesus was referring to in this instance, was sin sickness which Matthew was delivered from.
Jesus then followed a man whose daughter was ill, in order to pray for her. On his way there, he was stopped by a woman with an issue of blood, who touched his garment and was healed. While he was delayed, the man’s daughter died. Nevertheless, Jesus went to her house, took her by the hand and commanded her to come back to life. As he went on his journey, two blind men called out to him for help. He touched their eyes and their sight was restored. As he continued on his journey, a man was brought to him who was demon possessed and mute. Jesus cast out the demon and the man spoke.
Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and affliction. “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). The next thing that Jesus said to his disciples, was that the harvest was ripe, but the labourers were few. He asked them to pray for God to send labourers into the harvest. Jesus was making reference to the harvest of lost souls. On many occasions, when he ministered, his attitude was described as compassionate.
Compassion is having concern for the suffering and misfortune of others. It is also described as suffering with others. The bible teaches us to weep with those who weep, and to bear one another’s burden (Romans 12:15; Galatians 6:2). Our society has become individualistic and people are taught to ‘mind their own business’ and ‘don’t get involved in what doesn’t concern you.’ This was not Jesus’s way of ministry and he was not afraid of getting into other people’s business. The Acts church were together, shared everything and had all things in common (Acts 2:44). Compassion is a requirement for ministry, in order to meet the needs of others.
Your ministry will become powerful and impactful, when you develop love and compassion. You won’t reach people with your ministry if you don’t love them. Most people can see through pretence and can discern if someone really cares about them. Our ministries have to be driven by love and a desire to lead people to Christ, so that they can have everlasting life. Love isn’t easy and we sometimes have to pray to be able to see people through God’s eyes. Some of the people who are the hardest to love, are the people most in need of healing and deliverance.
A.P.-Y.
Thank you Anneta. A must -Add to my ministry 💗
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Amen 🙏🏾❤️
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There is nothing like compassion and love to give to others. The enemy of our soul does not understand this and it changes people for their best.
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Amen 🙏🏾. Indeed
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Another great Post. Love and compassion are sometimes difficult during these last days. It is vital to our spiritual health. Thank you for your understanding on this subject! 👏👏👏
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Amen 🙏🏾. Bless you ❤️
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We very often don’t be compassionate to others but it’s the only way to win everyone. Well shared.
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Amen 🙏🏾. Bless you
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Amen! God bless you 🙂
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Very true, Anneta. Thanks for the reminder.
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Amen 🙏🏾
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Yes and amen this is true ministry.
I think today’s is focusing more on the minor and do very little on the very important.
I mean misplaced priorities.
We focus more on the physical church buildings and names of our church than the actual people.
If we are given maybe 200000usd most people will buy land and buildings but less of meeting the basic needs of those people like the church in Acts as you mentioned
I heard now they are selling those buidings now esp In Sweden because people are nolonger coming to the church.
Why?
I think the church failed to be relevant over time.
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You are right Evidence. ‘By this they will know that you are my disciples, by your love for one another.’ The world can tell a fake church which is focused more on religion and materialism, than on love. 🙏🏾
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Oooh yes and we should do better
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Amen 🙏🏾
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Love this message Anneta. Seeing people through God’s eyes and if struggling to do so pray to be able to do so. That is an excellent way to reflect Christ.
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Amen 🙏🏾. Bless you Manu. You understand the concept. Our church has to be perfected in love before Christ returns. ❤️
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Amen, thank you, ‘when My compassion is on the ground, I’ll be on the ground’ Robert Stearns prophecy
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Amen 🙏🏾
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If we can’t love them how will they see the love of Christ?
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Amen 🙏🏾
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Amen. I love how compassionate our Lord Jesus is xx
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Amen 🙏🏾❤️
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Often-times that hard-to-love individual is your God-given assignment, so that God can soften your own hard-heart💕
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Amen 🙏🏾🙌🏾! Indeed
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