Pastor Scott Talley
Take note of the following text:
Three Lessons from Sunday’s Sermon
Feeding the 5,000
Today, we’ll be discussing the first lesson we learned from Sunday’s message. Yesterday, we focused on Matthew 14:13-21 which recounts a well-known miracle. This miracle, as commentators and theologians agree, not only showcases a miraculous event but also holds a parable element within the text.
Matthew 14:13-14 in the ESV reads:
13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
The first lesson we addressed yesterday was, “Do you have compassion for people?” This lesson and question are quite challenging. Although we might want to answer with an overwhelming YES, I’ve had to examine my own life over the past week. I’m not a rude person or unsympathetic, but true compassion entails living with a purpose and a different mindset, which doesn’t come naturally to us as humans. Have you found yourself in a similar situation? How do you navigate the challenges of showing compassion in your daily life?
For us to be truly compassionate, we mustn’t allow our flesh, desires, and pride to hinder us. Having compassion for someone means that we must be able to recognize suffering, pain, and struggle in someone else. This can be a difficult task, as we are often preoccupied with our own lives and struggles. How can we see these things in someone else’s life if we are battling a self-centered and focused life ourselves?
I shared a quote by Dr. Paul Chappell yesterday, and I believe it’s worth reiterating:
“We may start with compassion, but we get in a hurry; other people mistreat us, and soon our compassion is gone. We sometimes love and are compassionate, but Jesus was always compassionate because God is love.”
The answer to the first lesson, “Do we have compassion for people?” can be found in Jesus and His disciples’ actions. Despite being tired, grieving, and needing time with the Father, Jesus had compassion for the people who ran up to the shore to see Him, hear Him teach, and be healed by Him. Jesus, being 100% God and 100% Man, exhibited compassion for the crowd and people. His selflessness is truly admirable. May the same be said of us daily.
May we never get so consumed by our lives, ministries, and routines that we overlook the people around us. As we conclude Lesson One, here’s a final question to help you assess if compassion is present in your life.
Closing question: Do you see people as burdensome, or do you recognize them as individuals whom God is calling you to show compassion and love to?