It Grieves God
Jesus Was Moved – Part 1

Scripture Reading:  Matthew 15:29-37

Key Verse: Matthew 15:32

Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”

Have you ever listened to a speech, sermon, or watched a movie and said, “I was so moved by it”?  We use that phrase to express a deep stirring in our hearts; my emotions were touched.  In today’s printed key verse, we get to read what moved Jesus.

Great crowds had gathered to hear Jesus teach.  The crowds brought the lame, the blind, and the crippled, and Jesus healed them.  There was amazing joy, as we can imagine, in this great crowd of followers.  The people had stayed in this exciting atmosphere for three days; no one wanted to leave, but Jesus realized that they had nothing to eat.  Jesus told His disciples, “I have compassion for these people.”  Hunger has never been a game.  Jesus understood how we are created and the need for proper nourishment.

Jesus used a really long word in the Greek language for what we translate as “compassion”:  splagehnizomai.  The literal meaning was to be moved as to one’s bowels.  (Bowels were thought to be the seat of love and pity.)  In other words, Jesus’ feelings for the hungry among this great crowd were deep.  He would not allow it.  He would demand action!  He told His disciples that they needed to feed them “or they may collapse on the way.”

Do you think we should determine to value what Jesus valued?  Do you think we should have the same compassion?   (Continued)

Father, I want to want what you desire.  Please put it in my heart and I will act upon it.  In Jesus’ name, amen.