Compassion

Luke 15:11-32

• Common reactions/issues
  • When we come to Jesus, we are like the prodigal son
  • When we see unbelievers come to Jesus, we are like the father
  • When other believers fall away or struggle, we are like the older son
• The father gave the son the freedom to choose and the freedom to fail without condemnation
• The father had compassion on his son when the son returned and celebrated the return
• The father told everyone around him about his son's return

"Compassion" shows up 88 times (depending on usage) - mercy, love, pity

Mark 6:34 - "When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things."

Matthew 14:14 - "When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick."

Matthew 15:32 - "Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 'I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.''"

Over and over, Jesus has compassion on people and moves to help them.