“Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick” (Matthew 14:14 NLT).

THE COMPASSIONATE CHRIST

After Jesus heard about the beheading of His relative, John the Baptist, He withdrew by boat to a remote place to be alone. However, as soon as He stepped ashore, He saw a huge crowd waiting for Him.
 
Can you imagine His grief? Can you understand His desire for solitude and time alone with His Father? Yet, when He saw the crowd and the sick they had carried with them, He had compassion on them. And He began to heal their sick. As evening approached, the disciples recommended sending the people away to get food, for they were in a wilderness area. But Jesus told His disciples to feed them. They brought Him five loaves and two fishes, and Jesus multiplied the food and fed the 5,000. After they had eaten, Jesus finally sent everyone away and was able to go up on the mountain by Himself to pray.
 
O the compassion of our Savior, Jesus Christ! How He puts others ahead of Himself! Let us run to Him with all our trouble, for He cares for us! He has compassion on us.
 
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the compassion we see in Your Son, for we know that it reveals the love and compassion You have for us. We gladly receive the grace You offer us through Jesus. We also ask that You pour out this compassion in us, so that we are able to put others ahead of ourselves as Jesus did. In Christ’s name we pray, amen.