Yet again, as we press on in this series to look at the man Jesus and His personality, we can’t but realize that He was and is a man full of love and compassion. He is an embodiment of unconditional, unfailing love. The hallmark of His character is love. He, through whom and for whom all things were created, came to die for us (mankind) because He loved us so much. He laid down His life for us even while we were yet sinners (Rom 5:8). He did not wait until we started behaving well or did nice things for Him before He chose to die. Even while we spat on Him, mocked Him, flogged Him, and tortured Him, He still chose to die on the cross to pay for our sins and redeem us. He was an epitome of unconditional love.
A study of the gospels clearly shows that while He was physically on the earth, it was love and compassion that moved Him to perform the countless miracles He did. It wasn't because He wanted to draw attention to Himself or show off. It was all about love. When he decided to go to a solitary place by boat to get some rest with His disciples, and the people ran ahead of Him by foot; instead of sending them away or ignoring them, He had compassion and took care of them. The bible records that after He stepped off the boat and saw the great multitude He was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd, so He began to teach them many things (Mark 6:34) and healed their sick (Matt.14.14) and in the evening of the same day when they were hungry He fed them all, five thousand men with five loaves of bread and two fishes. He saw that the people were sick and lost and He was moved with compassion to teach them the truth and heal them. He was propelled by love and compassion; He sacrificed and denied Himself for the sake of others. He was full of love.
Even when He raised the dead, it was love and compassion that propelled Him. The scriptures make us understand that when He drew near to the gate of the city of Nain and saw the dead body of the only son of a widow being carried out, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” So the widow’s son who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother (Luke 7:11-15). Also, when He heard that Lazarus had died, the bible records that Jesus wept and the Jews who were around seeing Him weeping said, “Behold how He loved him!” (John 11.35-36), then He raised Lazarus from the dead. The basis of everything He did and does is love, every one of His words and actions were and are laced with compassion.
Again, on his way out of Jericho, hearing two blind men crying out to Him, the bible records that He was moved with compassion and touched their eyes; and immediately they received their sight, and followed Him (Matt. 20:34). Also, it was recorded in Mark 1:40-42, "Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand, touched him, and said to him, “I am willing, be cleansed."
Without doubt, Jesus genuinely walked in love while He lived as a man on the earth and it's His undying relentless unconditional love that still keeps Him knocking at the door of our hearts till today even when we keep rejecting Him over and over. He keeps on saying "Behold I stand at the door and knock, if any man hears me and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him and he with Me" (Rev 3:20). He loves each and every single one of us too much to allow us perish. Oh! How He loves us.
Friends, as followers of Christ, we ought to be an embodiment of His love and love others as He loved us, just as He commanded in John 13:34-35, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another." Let us examine our hearts. Do you genuinely love others? Do you show love only when you hope to receive something in return? Do you show love only to those who are in your good books? Do you love only those who are easily lovable? Do you love others only in your words or do you actually show love by your actions? Do you have the material things of this world yet you show no compassion to those in need (1 John 3:17-18)? Do you know the truth of the gospel yet keep quiet without sharing it with all those that are heading for destruction all around you? What exactly are you doing for others in love? What sacrifice are you making for others? Does the love of God really abide in you?
It is sad to say that love has been given different definitions over the cetnuries. Love has been colored to suit the selfish desires and ambitions of men hence it is essential that we know the kind of love we are referring to. This is God’s definition of love: love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and keeps no record of wrongs. It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. (1 Cor. 13:4-6)
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (1 John 4:7-8)
Oh Lord, transform us into your likeness, help us to be full of compassion and love for others like you! Amen.
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