When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. ”Where have you laid him?” he asked.
”Come and see, Lord,” they replied.
Jesus is man and also is God. As God, he is able to “know” what is in the hearts of men. He doesn’t have to ask what people are thinking. He knows. Time and again we see this aspect of Jesus’ nature in the Gospel stories.
Jesus is also a man. In particular, he is a man who has suffered. As if normal suffering wasn’t enough for our Creator, he was required to suffer forty days in the wilderness without food. At the end of that time, hungry and weak, he was tested by Satan. Jesus knows what it means to go through hard times.
Now we see Jesus confronted by people he loves who are tormented by grief and the loss of a loved one. How does the one who is God and at the same time who is man respond to heartfelt grief? He is “deeply moved.” The compassion of our God for us, His creation, is such that when we are confronted by the needs of our own hearts, by hard times and suffering, and by profound grief, we are met by a God who knows first hand what we are talking about.
Let’s Discuss: What do you think about God’s compassion for us, His creation?
I think God’s compassion for us is greater and more pure than our own. Yes, Jesus can understand and mediate for us as fully a man. It is poignant to me that Jesus was characterized with compassion.
Thanks Nathan!
Compassion is certainly an interesting counterpoint to wrath. I have just been reading Revelation and God’s wrath on the unrepentant is fearsome. Yet for those who turn to Him and admit God is right and just, he offers healing and compassion. Powerful stuff!
How wonderful it is He knows our frame and remembers we are but dust. Psalm 103:14
We are so self centered and don’t deserve compassion from a Holy God. Yet he does have compassion for those who seek after Him in faith