Jesus was a man of many emotions

JESUS WAS A MAN OF MANY EMOTIONS
EDITED BY GLENN PEASE
Mark 6:34 34WhenJesus landed and saw a large
crowd, he had compassionon them, because they were
like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching
them many things.
The compassionofChrist
ScottishPulpit.
I. THE COMPASSIONOF JESUS CHRIST. Compassionis a branch or
modification of kindness of heart, or of benevolence. Under the influence of it
we enter into the circumstances andfeelings of others;prompted to aid and
relieve them. The term "compassion" signifies to sympathize, or to suffer
along with others; and, therefore, while it is a most lovely affection, and the
exercise ofit yields the purest delight on the one hand; yet, on the other, it is
always attended with uneasyfeelings and painful sensations,and that in exact
proportion to the strength of our compassion. Hence youwill see, that when
compassionis ascribedin Scripture, as it often is, to God, it must differ in
some essentialpoints from human compassion. We are compound beings,
having not only bodies, but rational souls;and possessing notonly the powers
of understanding, will, and conscience, but instincts, affections, orpassions.
But "Godis a Spirit" a simple uncompounded being. In Him there is no such
thing as passion; and, consequently, no uneasy feelings or painful sensations
can attend the exercise ofcompassionin Him. It is the benevolentand ready
tendency o! His gracious nature to pity and relieve the miserable, when this is

consistentwith His sovereignand wise pleasure. "I will have compassionon
whom I will have compassion." This readyand benevolent tendency of nature,
to pity and relieve the miserable, was one of the brightest and loveliest
features in the characterofthe Saviour; and, from eternity, and as He was a
Divine person, it was exactlythe same in Him as in the other persons of the
adorable Trinity. But in the person of Jesus Christ are now closelyunited
both the Divine and human natures; and, thus, when He was in this world, in
the form of a servant, and acting and suffering in our stead, compassionin
Him partook of the nature and properties both of Divine and human
compassion. He possessednotonly the perfections of Godhead, but the sinless
feelings and affections ofmanhood. "In all things it behoovedHim to be made
like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priestin
things pertaining to God." In His present state of glory, He wears our nature,
and will do so forever; and He is saidto be "touchedwith the feeling of our
infirmities," yet, as His humbled suffering state is completely at an end, He is
really and tenderly, though not painfully, impressed with our weaknesses,
sorrows, anddangers. But the case was widelydifferent with Him while in this
world. It was then a part of His humbled suffering state to take our infirmities
on Him, to bear our griefs and carry our sorrows. In His human nature, He
felt our sorrows and wretchedness as faras His sinless and unsinning nature
could feel them. He was then literally "moved with compassion."He felt as a
shepherd does for his straying sheep; as a compassionateman for suffering
humanity; as the incarnate Son of God, in the characterof Redeemer, for
perishing sinners. "And Jesus, whenHe came out, saw much people, and was
moved with compassiontowardthem, because they were as sheepnot having a
shepherd; and He beganto teach them many things."
II. I SHALL SPEAK OF THE OBJECTS OF THE SAVIOUR'S
COMPASSION:—
1. Sinners of the human race were the objects ofHis Divine and eternal
compassion. In common with the Fatherand Spirit, "He remembered us in
our low estate;for His mercy endureth forever." His compassionwas not of
the sentimental speculative kind, which leads many to say to the nakedand
destitute, "Departin peace, be ye warmed and filled;" but to do no more. No.
It was real, deep, operative. He pitied sinners, "and so He was their Saviour,"

and did and suffered all that infinite wisdom and justice saw to be necessary
to procure eternal redemption for them.
2. During the time the Saviour was in this world, the condition of sinners daily
moved His compassion. WhenHe saw the widow of Nain following the bier of
her only sonto the grave, "He had compassiononher, and said unto her,
Weepnot."
3. All His people, even the bestand holiest in this world, are the objects of His
compassion. All need it. "Notas though I had already attained, either were
already perfect." "Forin many things we offend all."
4. The weak, the timid and doubting, are peculiarly the objects of His
compassion— who are weak in the faith, who are of a fearful mind, who are
harassedwith temptations, and borne down with poverty and oppression,
vexations and bereavements.Application:
1. Do you wish to have objects of compassionpresentedto your view? Think
of the heathen.
2. This subjectreads an important lessonto all ministers of the gospelWe
should be imitators of the compassionofChrist.
3. Will sinners have no compassiononthemselves?
4. Let weak and timid Christians be encouraged, We have setbefore you the
compassionateSaviour. Put your case into His hands. Trust in His
compassion.
(ScottishPulpit.)
Pity more unselfish than love
T. T. Munger.
We often speak oflove as the ultimate passion, but there is a depth even
beyond love. For love is largely its own reward, and so may possibly have an
element of imperfection, but pity or compassionhas not only all the glory or

powerof love, but it forgets itself and its own returning satisfactions,and goes
wholly over into the sufferings of others, and there expends itself, not turning
back or within to say to itself, as does love, "How goodit is to love!" It may be
a factorin the solution of the problem of evil that it calls out the highest
measure of the Divine love; a race that does not suffer might not have a full
revelation of God's heart. What! Create a race miserable in order to love it!
Yes, if so thereby its members shall learn to love one another and if thus only
it may know the love of its Creator. In the same way it is man's consciousness
of misery, or self-pity, that reveals to him his own greatness — a thought that
Pascalturns over and over. Pity is love and something more: love at its
utmost, love with its principle outside of itself and therefore moral, love
refined to utter purity by absorption with suffering. A mother loves her child
when it is well, but pities it when it is sick, and how much more is the pity
than the love! How much nearerdoes it bring her, rendering the flesh that
separates herfrom it a hated barrier because it prevents absolute oneness,
dying out of her own consciousness,and going wholly over into that of the
child whose pains she would thus, as it were, draw off into her ownbody! To
die with and for one who is loved — as the poets are fond of showing — is
according to the philosophy of human nature. Might not something like it be
expectedof God, who is absolute love? And how shall He love in this absolute
way exceptby union with His suffering children? Such is the nature of pity; it
is a vicarious thing, which bare love is not, because it creates identity with the
sufferer.
(T. T. Munger.)
Christ's pity embracedthe unconscious suffering of men
T. T. Munger.
It is not to be thought, however, that this Christly pity embraced only the
conscious suffering of men. It is an undiscerning sympathy that reaches only
to ills that are felt and confessed. We everyday meet men with laughter on
their lips, and unclouded brows, who are very nearly the greatestclaimants of
pity. Pity him who laughs but never thinks. Pity the men or women who fritter

awaythe days in busy idleness, calling it society, when they might read a book.
Pity those, who, without evil intent, are making greatmistakes, who live as
though life had no purpose or end, who gratify a presentdesire unmindful of
future pain. Pity parents who have not learned how to rear and train their
children: pity the children so reared as they go forth unto life with
undermined health and weakenednerves, prematurely weariedof Society,
lawless in their dispositions, rude and inconsiderate in their manners,
stamped with the impress of chance associations andunregulated pleasures.
"No!it is not pain that is to be pitied so much as mistake, not conscious
suffering, but courses thatbreed future suffering." Who then calls for it more
than those who have settled to so low and dull a view of life as not to feel the
loss of its higher forms, content with squalorand ignorance and low
achievementor mere sustenance?It is now quite common to say at the
suggestionofsome very earnestphilanthropists that the poor and degradeddo
not suffer as they seem:that they get to be en rapport with their
surroundings, and so unmindful of their apparent misery. This may be so, but
even if the wind is thus tempered to these shorn lambs of adversity, it is no
occasionfor withholding pity. Nay! the pity should be all the deeper. The real
misery here is, that these poor beings do not look upon their wretched
condition with horror and disgust, that they are without that sense and
standard of life which would lead them to cry, "This is intolerable; I must
escape from it." Hence, the discerning Christ-like eye will look through all
such low contentedness to the abject spirit behind it, and there extend its pity.
Not those who suffer most, but oftener those who suffer least, are the most
pitiable.
(T. T. Munger.)
The CompassionofChrist
By Wayne Jackson

The saying is proverbial: “People do not care how much you know until they
know how much you care.”
There is some truth in that.
Considerthe case ofJesus Christ.
He was the most forceful, demanding teacherwho has ever lived. He was the
one who taught that even one’s closestfamily members must give way to
loyalty to him and that the true disciple must be willing to “bearhis cross”for
the Master(Mt. 10:34-39).
In view of the rigorous nature of the Savior’s requirements, how does one
accountfor his amazing popularity?
For one thing, the evidence supporting his claims was staggering. No honest
person could deny it.
Beyond that, a strong case canbe made that Jesus’compassionfor people,
reflecting his incredible love, made his charactervery attractive in a
humanitarian sense.

Our Sympathetic High Priest
There are severalwords in the Greek New Testamentthat revealinsights into
the marvelous compassionofthe Lord with reference to sinful, suffering
humanity. Let us think about this for a moment.
The book of Hebrews has this exciting passage.
For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our
infirmities; but one who has been tempted like as we are, yet without sin (Heb.
4:15).
Of specialinterest is the term “touched.” It translates the Greek sympatheo,
from sun (with) and patheo (to feel). Hence, the meaning is “to feel with.” Our
English “sympathy” is derived from this word.
Michaelis notes that the term “does not signify a sympathetic understanding
that is ready to condone, but a fellow feeling that derives from full
acquaintance with the seriousnessofthe situation as a result of successfully
withstanding the temptation” (Bromiley, 802-803).
The Christian who struggles againstthe urgings of temptation may be assured
that there is someone who understands this difficulty and is sympathetic to us
as we engage the battle againstcarnality (cf. Rom. 7:14ff; 1 Cor. 9:27).
But let’s think about the compassionofChrist from two additional vantage
points.
First, there is the personalconcernthe Lord exhibited in his interaction with
those among whom he moved during his sojourn on earth.
Second, there was the teaching he did. He wove insights concerning divine
sympathy into the fabric of his instruction.
Jesus’Example: Mercyfor the Possessed
The Lord was in that regioneastof the Sea of Galilee, knownas “the country
of the Gerasenes”(Mk. 5:1ff). There he encounteredan unfortunate man
whose body was possessedby unclean spirits (i.e., demons).

The afflicted victim was a spectacle indeed. He wandered around the
countryside unclothed. He lived among the tombs. He cut himself with stones.
And though often chained, he easilybroke his fetters and terrorized the
neighborhood.
After some exchange with the wickedspirits, Christ purged the wretchedsoul
of his diabolicalinhabitants. What a new day that must have been for the
demoniac!
The gentleman’s gratitude was obvious. In fact, he wantedto accompanythe
Lord. Jesus forbade that, but gave him this commission:
“Go to your house unto your friends, and tell them how greatthings the Lord
has done for you, and how he had mercy on you” (Mk. 5:19).
Note the expression“hadmercy.” It is telling. The verb (eleo)suggests the
idea of helping someone out of pity for them. It reflects an action that issues
from a tender heart.
We will amplify this thought subsequently. For now, simply note that it is a
commentary on the disposition of the Son of God.
Jesus’Example: Grieved Over Enemies
A truly stunning case of the Master’s tender concernis observedin a
circumstance recordedin Mark 3.
Jesus entereda Hebrew synagogue onthe Sabbath day. There he encountered
a man with a withered hand.
The Jews suspiciouslywatchedthe Lord to see whether or not he would heal
the man. In their judgment, such actionwould violate the Sabbath by doing a
good“work.”
If Jesus healedthe man, they could then “file charges” theysupposed. It has
always intrigued me that they anticipated the possibility of a miracle, yet had
no interest in the Teacher’s message!
But Christ “knew their thoughts” (Lk. 6:8) and understood the effectthat sin
had wrought in them.

And it angeredhim (Mk. 3:5). The Greek term for anger(orge)denotes a
deliberate disposition, not an impulsive flash of wrath.
The most unusual thing about this episode, however, is the fact that Jesus was
“grieved” overthese hard-hearted men. And so, he healedthe man’s withered
hand in an attempt to softentheir hearts!
The original term that is rendered “grieved” (sunlupeo) is found only here in
the entire New Testament. The noun lupeo is used sixteentimes in the New
Testament, and it means sorrow or pain either of body or mind. But the
addition of the prefix sun makes the term unique in the New Testament.
Herodotus, the Greek historian, used the word to describe the emotions of
certain citizens who offered their condolences to a man whose brother had
just died (6.39).
In this passage, Mark seems to be suggesting the sympathetic nature of Jesus’
grief, as he contemplates the fact that these men were their own worstenemies
(Vine, 362). What an index into the loving heart of the Son of God!
Christ: “moved with compassion”
Perhaps the most dramatic biblical term denoting the idea of compassionis
the word splanchnon. Literally, it signifies the intestines. When Judas
committed suicide by hanging himself, his body eventually fell to the earth
and “his intestines gushed out” (Act 1:18, NASB).
But both the Hebrews and the Greeks came to use the term in a figurative
sense, fordeep feelings of tenderness and compassion — much as when we use
the term “heart,” as in “I love her with all my heart.” There are several
instances where this word is employed to describe Christ’s feelings for the
unfortunate.
Jesus had this emotion for a poor man who was afflicted with the dreaded
disease, leprosy(Mk. 1:41). The gentleman met Christ, kneeledbefore him,
and begged:“If you will, you can make me clean.” What confidence he had.
The Lord, “moved with compassion,” responded, “Iwill.” With but a touch of
the Savior’s hand the man was instantly cleansed. Someone has aptly

commented that it was only on accountof the Lord’s compassionthat he had
a hand with which to touch the gentleman!
The purpose of the miracle, of course, was to establish the Messiah’s
credibility as a teacher“come from God” (cf. Jn. 3:2). Nevertheless,we must
not overlook the fact that Jesus had sincere feelings for this man’s horrible
plight.
The Lord is not going to miraculously deliver us from the physical effects of a
sin-cursed world. It is noteworthy, though, that as we suffer, we may be
assuredof his genuine sympathy.
Christ’s compassionfor the people
The term splachnonis used to depict the concerneddispositionthat Jesus had
for the confusedJews as they soughtto find direction for their lives.
When the Savior heard the news of the murder of his friend, John the
Baptizer, he took his disciples apart into a remote area near Bethsaida. But
the multitudes followedafter him. Mark says that Jesus “hadcompassionon
them, because they were as sheepnot having a shepherd” (Mk. 6:34). And so,
he “welcomedthem” (Lk. 9:11).
Think about it. The Lord set aside his owngrief for his murdered cousin, a
righteous man of God, to minister to these people who so desperatelyneeded
direction in their lives. What a man!
On a certainoccasion, Christ and his disciples went to a city calledNain, some
six miles south of Nazareth(see Lk. 7:11ff). As they approachedthe gate of
the city, they met a funeral procession. A young man had died and his mother,
a widow, was burying her only child.
When Jesus saw this sad scene he “had compassion” onthe dear lady and
said, “Stopweeping.” The Lord then came near to the bier and “touched” it.
The bearers stopped and Jesus saidto the corpse:“Young man ... arise.” The
once-deadone sat up and begantalking.

And then, Luke tenderly says, “And he [Jesus]gave him his mother.” Never
had she been given a more delightful gift!
Again we must note that the purpose of this miracle was to establishthe
Savior’s credentials as a divine spokesman — an effectwhich was produced
immediately (Lk. 7:16).
Be that as it may, we must not fail to note the factthat in connectionwith that
higher goal, the Lord had compassion.
Jesus Teaches Compassion
In addition to his personalexample, Christ also incorporatedthe conceptof
compassioninto the various forms of his teaching, thereby conveying some
comforting and powerful truths.
It is common knowledge to the Bible student that Jews had no dealings with
the Samaritans — a mixed race viewed as turncoats (Jn. 4:9). Nonetheless,
when an arrogantJewishlawyer, in an attempt to justify himself, quipped:
“Who is my neighbor?”
Jesus replied by telling the parable of the traveling Samaritan who
encountereda wounded Jew. The hero of the story is the despised Samaritan
who was “moved with compassion” againsthis enemy (Lk. 10:33).
A heart immersed in compassionwill overcome superficialbarriers.
One of the most beloved of the Savior’s parables is that of the “prodigal son”
(Lk. 15:11ff). A foolish lad retrieved his inheritance and departed from his
father into a distant land. There he surrendered himself to reckless abandon,
being ultimately reduced to degradation. Finally, he resolvedto return to his
beloved father.
As he made his waytoward the old home place, his gracious fathersaw him
from a long way off. Being “moved with compassion,” ranand flung his arms
around his neck.
The father, of course, represents God. Even when we have disgraced
ourselves, he still grievously feels for us and wants us back. Compassioncan

bridge the gap betweendeity and human debauchery — when penitence is
evidenced (cf. also Mt. 18:27).
Conclusion
Does Jesus care,
when my heart is pained,
too deeply for mirth and song?
When the burdens press
and the cares distress,
as the day grows wearyand long?
The answeris a resounding,
Oh, yes, he cares,
I know he cares;
his heart is touched with my grief.
Our knowledge ofthis factis grounded in the biblical information we have
just surveyed. Be comforted by it.
When we are afflicted with disease and pain, he cares. Whenwe are grieving
the loss of dearones, he cares. When we are confusedand in a maze of
misdirection, desperatelyneeding leadership, he has compassionfor us. When
we are mistreated, he feels for us.
When we dredge ourselves into the mire of sin, he grieves over that disaster.
When, in the hardness of heart, we even hatefully oppose him, he continues to
feel for us. Is this not absolutelyamazing?
How can one continue to resisthim in view of these wonderful truths? Can not
the “goodness ofGod” lead us to repentance (Rom. 2:4)?

And what of our need to exhibit compassionto others? Can we not exclaim: “I
will show compassionto others, because my Saviorfirst showedcompassionto
me” (cf. 1 Jn. 4:19)?
How the environment of our society, our homes, and our churches would be
transformed if more adorned themselves with the mantle of compassion.
THE CHARACTER OF JESUS:
Compassion
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Topic 50: The CompassionofJesus Christ. (Main Topic)
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Topic 52: The Objects of Christ's Compassion.
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POINT 10: Jesus Christhad compassionon the multitude who were
distressedand scatteredabroadas sheepnot having a shepherd.
Mark 6:34 When Jesus landedand saw a large crowd, he had compassion
on them, because they were like sheepwithout a shepherd. So he began
teaching them many things.
Matthew 9:36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassiononthem,
because they were harassedand helpless, like sheepwithout a shepherd.
What if Jesus were in Chicago? How does He feeltowards the billion people
in China? Contrastthe Pharisees:
John 7:48-49 [48] "Has any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believedin
him? [49] No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law -- there is a curse on
them."

Which are we more like, Christ or the Pharisees?
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POINT 20: Jesus Christhad compassionon the hungry multitude.
Mark 8:2 I have compassionforthese people;they have already been with
me three days and have nothing to eat.
Not only the spiritual destitution of men, but their physical need as well
appealedto the compassionofJesus Christ.
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POINT 30: Jesus Christhad compassionon the multitude in general.
Matthew 14:14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had
compassiononthem and healed their sick.
When Jesus saw a crowd of men He was moved with compassion. His
compassiononthe multitude is mentioned five times. A crowdof men is a
pitiful sight. It represents so much of sorrow, so much of pain, so much of sin.
What is your feeling when you look out on a crowd? Judging by the contextof
this passage, the sick seemto have especiallydrawn out His compassion.
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POINT 40: Jesus Christhad compassionon the blind.
Matthew 20:34 Jesus had compassionon them and touched their eyes.
Immediately they receivedtheir sight and followedhim.
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POINT 50: Jesus Christhad compassionon the demonized, the victims of the
powerof unclean spirits.
Mark 9:22, 25 [22] "It has often thrown him into fire or waterto kill him.
But if you cando anything, take pity on us and help us." [25] When Jesus saw
that a crowdwas running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. "You deaf

and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter
him again."
In the last case mentionedthere was much in the man that was repulsive and
hateful, but Jesus beheld him with compassion.
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POINT 60: Jesus Christhad compassionon the leper.
Mark 1:40-41 [40] A man with leprosy came to him and beggedhim on his
knees, "Ifyou are willing, you can make me clean." [41]Filled with
compassion, Jesusreachedouthis hand and touched the man. "I am willing,"
he said. "Be clean!"
The world, even the religious world of that day, met the leper with repulsion
and disgust and scorn. Christ met him with compassion. The world drew
awayfrom him, Christ drew toward him.
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POINT 70: Jesus Christhad compassionon the one bereavedof a loved one.
Luke 7:12-13 [12] As he approachedthe town gate, a dead person was
being carried out -- the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a
large crowd from the town was with her. [13] When the Lord saw her, his
heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry."
This is the only recordedcase in which Jesus met a funeral procession, and
we see what His feeling was toward the mourner. What is your feeling toward
mourners? What is your feeling when you meet a funeral procession?
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POINT 80: Jesus Christhad compassionon the sinful, the lost, the spiritually
dead.
Luke 15:20 So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a
long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassionfor him; he
ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissedhim.

Compare Luke 15:1-2 [1] Now the tax collectorsand "sinners" were all
gathering around to hear him. [2] But the Phariseesand the teachers of the
law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
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POINT 90: Jesus Christhad compassionon all men afflicted by any form of
misfortune, or wretchedness,ordegradation.
Mark 3:5 He lookedaround at them in anger and, deeply distressedat
their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretchout your hand." He stretched
it out, and his hand was completelyrestored.
Jesus Christ did not go about His work from a coldsense of duty, but His
own heart drew Him out towards those He helped and saved. His deeds of
mercy costHim something more than the sacrifice ofleisure and the
expenditure of effort and power. They costhim heartaches. He made other
men's sorrows His own sorrows, othermen's agonyHis own agony, other
men's sin and shame His own sin and shame. He could not look upon misery,
pain, death or sin without heart pangs.
John 11:33 When Jesus saw herweeping, and the Jews who had come
along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.
Herein lay one greatsecretof His power. It is the misery that we make our
own that we can comfort; it is the want that we make our own that we can
fully satisfy; it is the sin we make our own that we cansave another from.
2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that
in him we might become the righteousness ofGod.
Realpowerto help men is a very expensive thing, but anyone can have it
who is willing to pay the price. But the one who is not willing to give up
lightness of heart, and take instead burden of heart over the world's sin and
sorrow and shame, may as well give up the thought of being a helper, much
less a saviorof men. Men can not be savedby burning words, by mere
bleeding hearts.
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Topic 54: The way in which the compassionofChrist was manifested.
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POINT 10: The compassionof Jesus Christwas not manifested in mere
feelings or words, but in action, in self-sacrificing and persistent and
thorough-going ministration to the needs of the one upon whom He had
compassion.
Luke 10:33-36 [33]But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man
was;and when he saw him, he took pity on him. [34]He went to him and
bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his
own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. [35]The next day he
took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. "Look afterhim,"
he said, "and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you
may have." [36] Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man
who fell into the hands of robbers?
In the final analysis, the goodSamaritan is a picture of Jesus Christ.
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POINT 20: The compassionof Jesus Christtoward the unshepherded was
manifested in His patiently teaching them when He himself was wearyand
sore at heart.
Mark 6:34 When Jesus landedand saw a large crowd, he had compassion
on them, because they were like sheepwithout a shepherd. So he began
teaching them many things.
He taught before he fed. Why? In this manifestationof compassionthere is
abundant opportunity for us all to imitate. Get an unshepherded child of the
street, if you cando no more.
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POINT 30: The compassionof Jesus Christtoward the unshepherded was
manifested in His healing the sick.

Matthew 14:14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had
compassiononthem and healed their sick.
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POINT 40: The compassionof Jesus Christwas manifested in feeding the
hungry.
Matthew 15:32 Jesus calledhis disciples to him and said, "I have
compassionfor these people;they have already been with me three days and
have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them awayhungry, or they may
collapse onthe way."
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POINT 50: The compassionof Jesus Christ was manifested: (a) In standing
still to listen to the cry of two blind beggars althoughHe was on most
important and urgent business. (b) In opening the eyes of the blind.
Matthew 20:32-34 [32]Jesus stoppedand calledthem. "What do you want
me to do for you?" he asked. [33]"Lord," they answered, "we wantour
sight." [34] Jesus had compassiononthem and touched their eyes.
Immediately they receivedtheir sight and followedhim.
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POINT 60: The compassionof Jesus Christwas manifested in casting
unclean spirits out of men.
Mark 5:8 For Jesus had saidto him, "Come out of this man, you evil
spirit!"
Mark 9:25 When Jesus saw thata crowd was running to the scene, he
rebuked the evil spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you,
come out of him and never enter him again."
160.054.070 Torrey: p127, T:V(2), P:7
POINT 70: The compassionof Jesus Christwas manifested: (a) in putting
forth His hand and touching the leper (For years the leper had not felt the

touch of a cleanand loving hand. That is what many a moral leper needs
today, the touch of a cleanand loving hand.) (b) In healing the leper.
Mark 1:41 Filled with compassion, Jesus reachedout his hand and
touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!"
160.054.080 Torrey: p128, T:V(2), P:8
POINT 80: The compassionof Jesus Christwas manifest: (a) In bidding the
sorrowing to weepno more. (b) In restoring the departed to the bereaved.
Luke 7:12-14 [12] As he approachedthe town gate, a dead person was
being carried out -- the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a
large crowd from the town was with her. [13] When the Lord saw her, his
heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry." [14]Then he went up and
touched the coffin, and those carrying it stoodstill. He said, "Young man, I
say to you, get up!"
160.054.090 Torrey: p129, T:V(2), P:9
POINT 90: The compassionof Jesus Christwas manifest in welcoming and
pardoning the sinner and bidding her to go in peace.
Luke 7:48, 50 [48] Then Jesus saidto her, "Your sins are forgiven." [50]
Jesus saidto the woman, "Your faith has savedyou; go in peace."
In all this let us remember:
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterdayand today and forever.
1 John 2:6 Whoeverclaims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
http://www.whatthebibleteaches.com/wbt_164.htm
THE COMPASSION OF JESUS
Dr. W. A. Criswell

Matthew 15:29-38
3-24-75 12:00 p.m.
As it has been announced, the theme of our noonday services this year is “The
CompassionateChrist,” and the messagetoday, The Compassionof Jesus;
the messagetomorrow atnoon, The Love of Jesus;the message the following
day, Wednesday, The Spirit of Jesus;the message the next day, on Thursday,
The Tears ofJesus;and the messageon the last day, Friday, the day He was
crucified, The Bloodof Jesus;the message today, The CompassionofJesus.
Reading in the fifteenth chapter of the Book ofMatthew:
Jesus departedand came nigh unto the Sea of Galilee;and went up into a
mountain, and satdown there.
And greatmultitudes came unto Him, having with them those that were lame,
and blind, and dumb, and maimed, and many others, and castthem down at
Jesus’feet;and He healedthem.
Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak,
and the maimed to be whole, and the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and
they glorified the Godof Israel.
Then Jesus calledHis disciples unto Him, and said, I have compassionon the
multitude, because they continue with Me now three days, and have nothing
to eat: and I will not send them away, lestthey faint in the way.
[Matthew 15:29-32]

And then the marvelous, glorious breaking of bread, the loaves and the fishes
[Matthew 15:36]. “And they did all eat, and were filled” [Matthew 15:37].
What an amazing scene. OurLord, withdrawing up into the mountains that
surround the Sea of Galilee, to rest, to pray, to be quiet; and while He is there,
in one of those mountains, the people finding Him present, bring to Him the
blind, and the maimed, and the lame, and the deaf, and the halt, and many
others, and castthem down at Jesus’feet[Matthew 15:29-30]. Whata sight,
laying at His feet this human rubbish, the flotsamand jetsam of human life.
What did He do and what did He say? Did the Lord say, “Take awaythese
burdens, remove these blind and maimed and halt out of My sight. I have
come to enjoy the solitude and the beautiful vistas of these hills and
mountains, and I leastexpectedto be worried and burdened with all of these
who are in such helpless condition”? No, for you see, He belonged to them
and they belongedto Him; and in their abject helplessnessHe wanted to be
near and dear. And the Scriptures say, “And He healed them all” [Matthew
15:30]. Those that were brought up sick and afflicted went down the
mountain in strength and in health. I canthink of some who struggledto
come to the height where He was seated, who depart whole and well again.
And it says, “And they glorified the God of Israel” [Matthew 15:31]. The very
mountains and hills shook and throbbed with the praises and jubilance of
these who had been blessedby the healing hands of the Master. As the
glorious poet and prophet Isaiahwould have expressedit, “The very hills and
mountains broke forth into singing, and the forests of the field clapped their
hands” [Isaiah55:12]. What a glorious, marvelous scene.
Does Goddo that today? On some glorious mountain, does the Lord look
down in compassionupon the afflicted, and the sick, and the maimed, and the
crippled, and the halt, and the blind? And does God heal us today? You
know what I think? The only difference in people is this: some praise God
for their healing, and others never think to return thanksgiving to Him who
did it [Luke 17:12-19]. Always we ought to remember: the surgeonmay cut,
and the pharmacist may concocta medicine, and the physician may prescribe
and minister, but only God can heal. Only God can close a wound. Only God
can heal us. And the hem of His seamless robe touches every bed [Matthew
9:20-22].

One of the men who was up here just now said, “I’ve takenmy wife back to
the hospital. She’s been there in serious illness before.” He’s takenher back
again. I saidto him, “Tellher we’ll be praying for the blessing of the healing
presence ofJesus to be with her.” Ah, the marvelous ministry of our blessed
Lord today. When a bad man turns to God, when lips of blasphemy burst out
in prayer and praise, this is the work of the Lord, our compassionate Savior.
“And He said to His disciples, I have compassionon the multitude” [Matthew
15:32]. You know what I think? “Jesus movedwith compassion” is His ever
enduring and endearing name [Matthew 20:34, Mark 1:41, Luke 7:13]. His
sympathy, His love, His understanding touched in sweettones and ways every
gesture that He made and every word that He spoke. It brought a wondrous
gentleness andkindness into His eyes. It crept into the tones of His voice,
haunting and gentle and tender. It characterizedHis whole life and ministry;
the sympathy, and the kindness, and the understanding, and the compassion
of our blessedLord Jesus. WhenHe preached, He preachedwith compassion.
His words were steepedin deepestfeeling. Like the apostle Paul, who
besoughtmen with many tears [Acts 20:31]and who punctuated his letters, he
says, “with tears and weeping” [2 Corinthians 2:4], so our Lord spoke out of
the fullness of His heart. He spoke to human need.
You read the words of the life of our Lord. You will never find them
speculative or philosophical or theological. They’re always addressedto the
heart, speaking to our human need. And even when the Lord denounced with
scathing tones and words, He did it out of compassion. Notin all human
literature is there a passageas bitter, as denunciatory, as you find in the
twenty-third chapter of the Book ofMatthew. But how was it that our Lord
was moved to speak suchbitter and blinding words? It came out of His love
for the people. “You place heavy burdens,” He says, to the scribes and the
Pharisees,“grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s backs. Ye shut up
the kingdom of heaven againstmen,” He said, “and for pretense you make
long prayers as you devour widow’s houses” [Matthew 23:4, 13-14]. Onand
on does He strike blows of bitterness and scathing denunciation [Matthew
23:15-36]. Why? BecauseofHis love for the people. And when I turn to the
end of the bitter twenty-third chapter of Matthew, do you remember how it
ends? It ends in a sob and in a cry: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem. . . how oft

would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen gatherethher brood
under her wings, and you would not! Behold, your house is left unto you
desolate” [Matthew 23:37-38]. Always in the words of our Lord He spoke out
of a heart steepedin deepestfeeling and sympathy and compassion.
Why, when you think of His life and His ministry, everything that He did was
motivated by an infinite, eternallove for us. Out of compassiondid He come
into the world for us sinners [Hebrews 10:4-14]. Out of compassiondid He
weepfor the sorrowing [John 11:33-35]. Out of compassionforthe despised
and the neglectedand the hated did He tell the story, the parable of the Good
Samaritan [Luke 10:30-37]. It was for us who were sick that in compassion
He healed us [Matthew 14:14;Mark 1:40-41]. And it was for us lostsinners
out of compassionthat He died for us [1 Corinthians 15:3]. And it is out of
compassionfor the weary and the discouragedand the downcastof His
believers in this earth that He lives in heaven today to make intercessionfor
us [Hebrews 7:25, Romans 8:34]. And did you know that is the secretofthe
strange powerthat our Lord has overthis world? The divine sympathy and
the heavenly pity by which He looks downupon us is something that melts the
hardest heart.
No better sign of the love and pity and sympathy and compassionofour Lord
could ever be thought for than the sign and aegis ofHis cross. With the arms
outstretchedas wide as the world is wide, as far as the eastgoes eastandthe
westgoes west, so the arms of love and pity and forgiveness ofour Lord are
extended [Matthew 27:32-50]. He is the one greatRedeemer[Ephesians 1:17,
Titus 2:14; 1 Peter1:18-19;Revelation5:9]. All others are but poor facsimiles
and copies ofHim. All others are but broken pieces ofHim. He is unique and
separate and apart [Hebrews 7:26], the greatcompassionateSaviorof the
world.
And it is just such a Lord and just such a Saviorthat we need in our hour of
trial, and discouragement, and illness, and death. The clever man may amuse
us for a moment. The clownand the comedianmay entertain us for an hour.
The materialist and the secularist, they somehow assuageour bitterness with
their philosophies and their explanations, but they soonwearyus all. Who
can build his life upon cleverness? The antics of the clownand the comedian

soonsatiate their dupes, and the theories and speculations ofthe secularist
vexes our soul and wearies ourminds. In the hour of deepestneed, we look
for Him from heavento stand by us in understanding, in pity, in comfort, and
in strength. In the chamber of affliction and in the hour of death, who sends
for the cleverman or the comedian, saying, “Justhow was that turned in
word, and tell me again, just what was the punch line in that joke?” In the
hour of deepesttrial and necessityand need, who sends for the speculator and
the philosopher and the secularistand the materialist, saying, “Now what was
that philosophy?” No. We send for Him who is able to give us help and grace
in our time of need [Hebrews 4:14-16].
When I was a country pastor, long, long ago, way, wayback out in the
country, there was a young woman who had pneumonia. And when I was a
boy that was a death sentence;if you had a heavy case ofpneumonia it meant
death. And the young womanwas dying; and as the pastor of the church I
went to see her. And seatedby her side, she said, “Would you read to me
from the Bible?” And I read from the Scriptures. And she said, “And now,
will you sing me a song?” Whatwas it that the Lord promised? That’s what
we grasp for, and need, and seize, and want. What was it that He said? “I
will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” [Hebrews 13:5]. O blessedGod, yes!
“I go to prepare a place for you” [John 14:3]. O divine Master, yes!
Sing them over againto me,
Wonderful words of life
Let me more of their beauty see,
Wonderful words of life
Words of life and beauty,
Teachme faith and duty
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life—

[“Wonderful Words of Life,” Philip P. Bliss, 1874]
the words of our compassionateLord.
Just one other thing in this text: you find in the story the basis for His
marvelous miracles, the compassionofour Lord. He said, “I will not send
them away, lest they faint by the way” [Matthew 15:32]. What was the
purpose of His miracles? ThatHe might demonstrate His mighty, miraculous
power? That was the secondtemptation: Satan saidto Him, “CastYourself
down from the top of the pinnacle, and the angels will bear Thee up, lestThou
dash Thy foot againsta stone [Matthew 4:6]. And let all the world and all
Jerusalemwonderat the miracle of Your casting Yourself headlong without
hurt or accidentor death”;a demonstration of His power for men to see and
be overwhelmed and amazedat. That was the temptation of Satan. Whatwas
the purpose of His miracles? Always out of the love of His heart and the
compassionofHis soul, “Do not send them away, lestthey faint in the way”
[Matthew 15:32].
Did you know you could prepare a sermonon the preventive ministry of our
Lord? “Lestsome evil befall them [Matthew 15:32]. . . Lestthey come into
hurt [Matthew 15:32] . . . Lest they faint in the way” [Matthew 15:32]. Think
of your life. Are there not a thousand things that might have happened, but
they didn’t? Why? Because Godtook care ofyou, He sent His guardian
angelto precede you. Oh, blessedpreventive ministry of our Savior: sending
an angel to take care of Simon Peter when Herod Agrippa had prepared to
behead him the next morning [Acts 12:7-10]; Danielcrying to the king, “God
hath sent His angel and stopped the mouths of the lions” [Daniel 6:21-22];or
the apostle Paulin the terrible storm, “Forthere stoodby me this night the
angelof the Lord” [Acts 27:23]. There were a thousand times in your life and
in mine when so much tragedy and accidentand hurt could have followed;but
God’s preventive, gracious, compassionate hand stopped it, sent His angel, His
guardian angel to take care of you.
And I close with a word about our Lord’s greatministry in heaven today. It is
just that: He is there in heaven at the right hand of God [Romans 8:34], lest

we fall and faint by the way. “It is expedient for you,” He said, “that I go
away[John 16:7]. But if I go away, I will come for you” [John 14:3]. And He
lives in heaven to save to the uttermost those of us who come to God by Him
[Hebrews 7:25], lest we faint or fall by the way. He is there, preceding us in
glory, preparing for our safe arrival. That’s what Stephen saw. Everywhere
in the Book, whenthe Lord is pictured in heaven, He is seatedat the right
hand of Power[Hebrews 10:12; Romans 8:34; 1 Peter3:22; Ephesians 1:20],
all except one time: when His first martyr was stoned, He stoodup, He stood
up to receive the soul of Stephen [Acts 7:55-56].
God does that for us today. In the hour of our death He sends His angelto
take us to glory [Luke 16:22]. And He is there preparing a place againstthe
day of our coming [John 14:2-3]—lestwe faint or fall by the way [Matthew
15:32]—oursympathetic and understanding and compassionate Savior
[Hebrews 4:14-16].
And our Lord, in that sweetconfidence that Jesus knows allabout us, cares
for us, loves us in spite of our weaknessesand failures, forgives our sins in His
own blood [1 John 1:7], washes us cleanand white by His own cross
[Revelation1:7], has been raised from the dead for our justification to declare
us righteous before the presence ofGod [Romans 4:25], and is in heaven today
preparing for our coming, lest we faint or fall by the way [Matthew 15:32], oh,
blessed, compassionate,loving, redeeming [1 Peter1:18-19], sympathetic,
understanding Savior[Hebrews 4:14-16], give us a greatercapacityto love
Thee more; in Thy endearing, compassionate name, amen.
View more →
Jesus:Full of Compassion
By Ed Dobson

Scripture: Mark 8:1–13, especiallyverse 2: “I have compassionon the
multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have
nothing to eat.”
Introduction: If you were askedto choose tenwords to describe yourself,
would one of them be compassionate?Justwhat is compassion? Is it simply a
feeling? How do we reactwhen a homeless personasks us for money? Do we
say, “God bless you,” and walk away? How are we to treat the boss when he
doesn’t recognize hard work, but only criticizes? Jesus answers these
questions in our text today.
1. The Compassionof Jesus (v. 1–2). The word compassionusedhere to
describe Jesus is actually two words put together:a word that means to feel
sympathy for someone and a secondword that means one’s “gut.” The idea is
that Jesus was movedto the very core of His being. What Jesus felt for the
crowdHe feels for us this morning. Did you know that? Whatever your need,
where ever you are on your journey, whateverstruggle you’re facing this
morning, Jesus feels foryou from His heart. He’s not only aware of your
need; He’s concernedabout your need. And Henot only concernedabout your
need, He is sympathetic toward your need.
A. Compassionthat Prompted Action (vv. 2–8). Wheneverthe word
compassionis associatedwith Jesus, it’s always followedby action. In Mark
1:40–41, Jesus was, “movedwith compassion, (and) stretchedout his hand
and touched him …” In Mark 6:34 Jesus saw a crowdand was moved with
compassionso He beganto teach them. Jesus not only feels compassionfor
you, but He will always acton it.
B. Compassionthat Was All-Inclusive (vv. 2, 11). Jesus’compassion
reachedout to the critical (v. 2) and the critics (v. 11). Jesus saw that the
crowd’s need was critical, “And if I send them away hungry … they will faint
on the way …” (v. 2). Are you wondering how you will make it through
another week? Jesus caresaboutyou. He desires to give you the strength and
nourishment to make it. He also cares aboutthe critical. The religious leaders
came to argue with Jesus (v. 11), but instead of yelling or fighting, Jesus

sighed deeply (v. 12). I think it was a sigh of compassion. He loves those in
critical need and those who are critical of Him.
C. CompassionRootedin PersonalExperience (Matt. 4:1; Heb. 4:15).
Remember that Jesus fasted 40 days (Matt. 4:1); He knew what hunger was.
The compassionofJesus is rooted in His own human experience (Heb. 4:15).
He understood what it meant to be hungry. What needs or temptations are
you struggling with? He knows and understands them all.
2. The Action of Jesus (vv. 5–7). You may want to circle the verbs in this
section:He took … He blessed… He broke … He gave. What a pattern for
our lives!
A. Given to Jesus (v. 6). If you and I want to be used by Jesus, the first step
is the complete surrender of ourselves to Jesus, giving ourselves completely,
without reservation, without holding back.
B. Blessedby Jesus (v. 7). Much is mentioned of material or spiritual
blessings from God, but the core of what it means to be blessedby Jesus is not
only to be taken by Him, but to be setapart by Him for His purpose, for His
objective, for His will, for whateverHe wants to do in our lives. Don’t ask
Jesus to bless you if you are unwilling to surrender everything to Him.
C. Brokenby Jesus (v. 6). Brokennessis the model Jesus setfor us. How
does He “break” us? Through circumstances, through sicknessand disease,
through disappointment, through criticism, through opposition, through
failure, through the demands of everyday life. In a sense, we cannotbe
multiplied until we are broken.
D. Given to Others (v. 6). We are blessedand broken in part for our benefit,
but primarily for the benefit of others. What God gives us back is blessed,
broken, and forever altered and changed. Why? So we can give that awayto
bless others. Are you ministering to others? If we are not, we need to go back
to being surrendered.

The emotions of Jesus Christ – compassion
Posted by finishingwithlampsburning
In this series we examine the emotions Jesus Christ felt when He was on earth, limited to a
time in history, a geographical place, and a human body that needed water, food and sleep.
We will examine how He managed His emotions; and why His emotional experiences
enable Him to understand everything you and I feel. He is our help in time of trouble.
Compassion- a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by
misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.
Situation #1 context
This situation happened after the 12 returned from going about two by two and Jesus took
them away in a boat.
Mark 6:34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with
compassion toward them, because they were as sheepnot having a shepherd: and he began
to teach them many things.
What triggered the emotion of compassion in Jesus?
Why do you think Jesus saw the people as sheepin need of a shepherd rather than seeing
them as rebellious creatures?
A shepherd gives provision, protection, direction and correction. Why do people need those
things?
Your emotions are personal. What emotions do you feel from this account?
How did Jesus respond to His emotion of compassion?
What has Jesus been teaching you lately?
What does Jesus’ compassion and His response to that compassion mean to you?
This situation happened right after the Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out devils
through the prince of devils.
Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues,
and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease
among the people. 36But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on
them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

37Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are
few; 38Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his
harvest.
What connection do you see betweenthe people’s need for a shepherd and the request to
pray the Lord of the Harvest for more laborers in His harvest?
In this situation Jesus by the Sea of Galilee has just healed one who was deaf with a speech
impediment and the people were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all
things well.
Mark 8: 1In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus
called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them, 2I have compassion on the multitude,
because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:
Was there a time when Jesus was hungry?
Do you think Jesus did not eat for three days?
Why did Jesus call His disciples? Do you think He wanted their opinions? Was He testing
them?
Do you think the disciples noted that Jesus was concerned for the people’s hunger but did
not express concern for their hunger?
Does Jesus sometimes focus your attention on someone else’s needfor compassion?

This situation occurred as Jesus left Jericho after declaring the Son of man came not to be
ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Matthew 20:30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that
Jesus passedby, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. 31And
the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more,
saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. 32And Jesus stood still, and called
them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? 33They say unto him, Lord, that our
eyes may be opened. 34So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and
immediately their eyes receivedsight, and they followed him.
Why did Jesus ask the men what they wanted?
Is it important that they askedthe Son of David for mercy?
Is it important that Jesus touched them?
Do you notice the result was sight and immediately?
What about Jesus feeling the emotion of compassion qualifies Him to be our great High
Priest?
Lamentations 3:22 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his
compassions fail not. 23They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Let’s look at the recorded description of our High Priest in Hebrews 4:13Neither is there
any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the
eyes of him with whom we have to do. 14Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that
is passedinto the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15For we
have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was
in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore come boldly unto
the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Our focus – Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a
cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us,
and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author

and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God
Our Challenge – Dearly Beloved,
Run with your eyes onJesus alone!
Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely
designed and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will
accomplish His purposes for you and through you!
Run in His strength alone!
Run being yoked to Emmanuel!
Run with your eyes onthe prize!
Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!
Run with the desire to finish strong!
Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!
Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when together you cross your
finish line!
Run to His glory alone!
Run and keepon running!
Coach Patti
The Emotions of Jesus
by G. Walter Hansen

The gospelwriters paint their portraits of Jesus using a kaleidoscope of
brilliant "emotional" colors. Jesus feltcompassion;he was angry, indignant,
and consumedwith zeal; he was troubled, greatly distressed, very sorrowful,
depressed, deeply moved, and grieved; he sighed; he wept and sobbed; he
groaned;he was in agony;he was surprised and amazed; he rejoicedvery
greatly and was full of joy; he greatly desired, and he loved.
In our quest to be like Jesus we oftenoverlook his emotions. Jesus reveals
what it means to be fully human and made in the image of God. His emotions
reflectthe image of God without any deficiency or distortion. When we
compare our own emotionallives to his, we become aware ofour need for a
transformation of our emotions so that we canbe fully human, as he is.
Paul tells the Corinthians that as Christians gaze upon the glory of the Lord,
"with unveiled faces," we "are being transformed into his likeness with ever-
increasing glory" (2 Cor. 3:18, NIV). The apostle is suggesting thatlooking
intently on the Lord will bring about a metamorphosis into Christ's image by
the Spirit. Paul illustrated this kind of transformation in his own life when he
told the Philippian Christians, "I long for you with the compassionof Christ"
(Phil. 1:8). Paul embodied the emotions of Jesus.
Many theologians throughout history have argued strongly that Godis not
moved by emotions. This doctrine of the impassibility of God, developedby
early Christian apologistssuchas Justin Martyr, sought to distinguish the
God of the Bible from pagangods whose passions ledthem into all kinds of
scandalous behavior.
Biblical Illustrator
Being grieved for the hardness of their hearts.
Mark 3:5
The angerof Christ

J. J. Goadby.
I. BUT IS ANGER A PASSION WHICH IT WAS RIGHT FOR CHRIST TO
SHOW AND TO FEEL? And if it were right for Christ, is it equally right for
us? The answerto the first question is simple enough. As the Holy One, the
very presence ofevil must be abhorrent to Him. He may be reconciledto the
sinner, but He can never be reconciledto sin. His whole nature revolts from
the evil thing. It was not then the mere ebullition of passion. It was not a
sudden outburst of rage. It was righteous wrath. It was the emotion which
stirred His whole being, just because sin is the utterly opposite of Himself. The
trained eye is offended with that which is distorted and ugly; the trained ear is
pained beyond expressionwith that which violates the very elements of
harmony; and the perfect heart loathes and cannot but be angry with sin. Can
there be any doubt that Christ's anger with sin in these men also glancedat
their relations with other men? "No man liveth unto himself." He was angry
at the blighting influence of the men's lives. Yet there was no sin in Christ's
anger, although Christ was angry with sin. While His angerwas strong His
pity was yet Divine. He was sorrowfulat the thought of what it all meant, and
would yet Himself rescue them from the snare. Anger and grief were blent
togetherin the same mind, just because in His mind there was perfect
holiness, and there was perfectlove; for it is not the stirring and agitationof
the waters that troubles and defiles them, but the sediment at the bottom.
Where there is no sediment, mere agitationwill not create impurity. There
was none in Christ. His angerwas the angerof a holy Being at sin, at the
devil's corruption of God's creature. His grief was for man, God's offspring.
He hated the thing which alienatedthe sons from the Father. The anger may
well make us tremble, but should not the pity make us trust?
II. IF IT WERE RIGHT IN CHRIST TO BE ANGRY WITH SIN, IS IT
EQUALLY RIGHT AND BECOMING IN US? We are always right in being
angry with sin. But just here is the difficulty. We are angry not so much at sin
as at something in it which affects and inconveniences us. It is not that which
is opposedto the holy law of God which most commonly makes us angry, but
that which brings us some petty discomfort and trouble. We see how sin
injures others. Purity will bring its own anger. Remember, however, that
angerwith sin is not something permitted; it is an emotion demanded. "Ye

that love the Lord, hate evil." But our angermust be interblent with pity.
Christ soughtto give these hard-hearted men another chance. He did not
permit them to hinder His work. He would have won them if only they would
have opened their hearts to the truth. It is Christ's greatlove alone which can
fill our souls with unwearied compassionforsinners. Beware, then, of
thinking that angerwith sin is enough. It is but one-half of our work. Pity is
the other half.
(J. J. Goadby.)
Anger againstsin blended with pity
J. J. Goadby.
It should be so trained in us by our docile obedience to Christ, that sin should
always, and upon the instant, fire the righteous indignation of our hearts. It is
not to be like that angerwhich one of the ancients describes as the fire of
straw, quickly blazing up, and as quickly extinguished. It is rather to become
an unquenchable fire. The other ball of our duty is equally binding that we
pity the sinner, and do our best to free him from his thraldom. It is here that
so much yet needs to be done. One may cheaply earn, to our own satisfaction,
a passing praise for righteousness,by anger againstsin; but the best proof
that it is the hateful thing to us which we proclaim it to be, is this, the efforts
we make to getrid of it, the sacrifices we cheerfully bear to snatch men from
its bondage, and the earnestness andpersistence ofour endeavours to secure
their freedom.
(J. J. Goadby.)
Christ's angernot like ours
Cornelius a Lapide.

There was in Christ real anger, sorrow, and the rest of the passions and
affections as they exist in other men, only subject to reason. Wherefore anger
was in Him a whetstone of virtue. In us (says F. Lucas) angeris a passion;in
Christ it was, as it were, an action. It arises spontaneouslyin us; by Christ it
was stirred up in Himself. When it has arisenin us it disturbs the other
faculties of the body and mind, nor can it be repressedat our own pleasure;
but when stirred up in Christ it acts as He wills it to act, it disturbs nothing —
in fine, it ceaseswhenHe wills it to cease.
(Cornelius a Lapide.)
Christ's indignation
T. H. Horne, D. D.
The angerhere mentioned was no uneasy passion, but an excess ofgenerous
grief occasionedby their obstinate stupidity and blindness. From this passage
the following conclusions may be drawn:
1. It is the duty of a Christian to sorrow not only for his own sins, but also to
be grieved for the sins of others.
2. All anger is not to be consideredsinful.
3. He does not bear the image of Christ, but rather that of Satan, who can
either behold with indifference the wickednessofothers, or rejoice in it.
4. Nothing is more wretchedthan an obdurate heart, since it causedHim, who
is the source ofall true joy, to be filled with grief in beholding it.
5. Our indignation againstwickedness mustbe tempered by compassionfor
the persons of the wicked.
(T. H. Horne, D. D.)

Jesus Angry with Hard Hearts
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Mark 3:5
And when he had lookedround about on them with anger, being grieved for
the hardness of their hearts, he saidto the man…
A Sermon
(No.1893)
Deliveredon Lord's-day Morning, March28th, 1886, by
C. H. SPURGEON,
At [6]the MetropolitanTabernacle, Newington
"And when he had lookedround about on them with anger, being grieved for
the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand."
-- Mark 3:5.
MY TEXT WILL REALLY CONSIST ofthese words: "He lookedround
about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts." It
is the divine Lord, the pitiful Jesus, the meek and lowly in heart, who is here
describedas being angry. Where else do we meet with such a statement while

he was here among men? A poor man was present in the synagogue who had a
withered hand: it was his right hand, and he who has to earn his daily bread
can guess whatit must be to have that useful member dried up or paralyzed.
In the same synagogue was the Savior, ready to restore to that hand all its
wonted force and cunning. Happy conjunction! The company that had
gatheredin the synagogue, professedlyto worship God, would they not have
specialcause to do so when they saw a miracle of divine goodness?I can
imagine them whispering one to another, "We shall see our poor neighbor
restoredto-day; for the Son of God has come among us with power to heal,
and he will make this a very glorious Sabbath by his work of gracious power."
But I must not let imagination mislead me: they did nothing of the kind.
Instead of this, they sat watching the Lord Jesus, notto be delighted by an act
of his power, but to find somewhatofwhich they might accuse him. When all
came to all, the utmost that they would be able to allege would be that he had
healed a withered hand on the Sabbath. Overlooking the commendationdue
for the miracle of healing, they laid the emphasis upon its being done on the
Sabbath; and held up their hands with horror that such a secularaction
should be performed on such a sacredday. Now, the Savior puts very plainly
before them the question, "Is it right to do goodon the Sabbath-day?" He put
it in a form which only allowedof one reply. The question could, no doubt,
have been easilyansweredby these Scribes and Pharisees,but then it would
have condemned themselves, and therefore they were all as mute as mice.
Scribes most skilledin splitting hairs, and Pharisees who could measure the
border of a garment to the eighth of an inch, declined to answerone of the
simplest questions in morals. Mark describes the Savior as looking round
upon them all with angerand grief, as wellhe might.
You know how minute Mark is in his record: his observationis microscopic,
and his description is graphic to the last degree. Bythe help of Mark's clear
words you can easilypicture the Savior looking round upon them. He stands
up boldly, as one who had nothing to conceal;as one who was about to do that

which would need no defense. He challengedobservation, though he knew that
his oppositionto ecclesiasticalauthority would involve his own death, and
hasten the hour of the cross. He did not defy them, but he did make them feel
their insignificance as he stoodlooking round upon them all. Can you conceive
the powerof that look? The look of a man who is much given to angerhas
little force in it: it is the blaze of a wisp of straw, fierce and futile. In many
caseswe almostsmile at the impotent age which looks out from angry eyes;
but a gentle spirit, like the Savior's, commands reverence if once moved to
indignation. His meek and lowly heart could only have been stirred with anger
by some overwhelming cause. We are sure that he did well to be angry.
Even when moved to an indignant look, his angerended there; he only looked,
but spake no word of upbraiding. And the look itself had in it more of pity
than of contempt; or, as one puts it, "more of compassionthan of passion."
Our Lord's look upon that assembly of opponents deserves ourearnest
regard. He pausedlong enough in that survey to gaze upon eachperson, and
to let him know what was intended by the glance. Nobodyescapedthe
searching light which that expressive eye flashed upon eachmalicious
watcher. They saw that to him their base conduct was loathsome;he
understood them, and was deeply moved by their obstinacy.
Note well that Jesus did not speak a word, and yet he said more without words
than another man could have said with them. They were not worthy of a
word; neither would more words have had the slightesteffectupon them. He
savedhis words for the poor man with the withered hand; but for these people
a look was the best reply: they lookedon him, and now he lookedon them.
This helps me to understand that passagein the Revelation, where the
ungodly are representedas crying to the rocks to coverthem, and the hills to
hide them from the face of him that sat upon the throne. The Judge has not
spokenso much as a single word; not yet has he opened the books;not yet has
he pronounced the sentence, "Depart, ye cursed;" but they are altogether
terrified by the look of that august countenance. Concentratedlove dwells in

the face of Jesus, the Judge; but in that dread day, they will see it set on fire
with wrath. The wrath of a lion is great, but it is nothing comparedwith that
of the Lamb. I wish I had skillto describe our Lord's look;but I must ask the
aid of your understandings and your imaginations to make it vivid to your
minds.
When Mark has told us of that look, he proceeds to mention the mingled
feelings which were revealedby it. In that look there were two things -- there
were angerand grief -- indignation and inward sorrow. "He lookedround
about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts." He
was angry that they should willingly blind their eyes to a truth so plain, an
argument so convincing. He had put to them a question to which there could
only be one answer, and they would not give it; he had thrown light on their
eyes, and they would not see it; he had utterly destroyedtheir chosenpretext
for opposition, and yet they would persistin opposing him. Evidently it is
possible to be angry and to be right. Hard to many is the precept "Be ye
angry, and sin not;" and this fact renders the Savior's characterall the more
admirable, since he so easilyaccomplishedwhat is so difficult to us. He could
be angry with the sin, and yet never ceaseto compassionate the sinner. His
was not anger which desired evil to its object; no touch of malevolence was in
it; it was simply love on fire, love burning with indignation againstthat which
is unlovely.
Mingled with this angerthere was grief. He was heart broken because their
hearts were so hard. As Manton puts it, "He was softenedbecause oftheir
hardness." His was not the pitiless flame of wrath which burns in a dry eye;
he had tears as well as anger. His thunder-storm brought a showerof pity
with it. The Greek word is hard to translate. There is what an eminent critic
calls a sort of togetherednessin the word; he grieved with them. He felt that
the hardness of their hearts would one day bring upon them an awful misery;
and foreseeing thatcoming grief, he grieved with them by anticipation. He
was grieved at their hardness because it would injure themselves;their blind

enmity vexed him because it was securing their own destruction. He was
angry because they were wilfully rejecting the light which would have
illuminated them with heavenly brightness, the life which could have
quickened them into fullness of joy. They were thus determinedly and
resolutelydestroying their own souls out of hatred to him, and he was angry
more for their sakesthan his own.
There is something very admirable in our Savioreven when we see him in an
unusual condition. Even when he grows angry with men, he is angry with
them because they will not let him bless them, because they will persevere in
opposing him for reasons whichthey cannotthemselves support, and dare not
even own. If I had been one of the disciples who were with him in the
synagogue, Ithink I should have burned with indignation to see them all
sitting there, refusing to forego their hate, and yet unable to saya word in
defense of it. I doubt not, the loving spirit of John grew warm. What a
horrible thing that any creature in the shape of a man should actso
unworthily to the blessedSon of God, as to blame him for doing good!What a
disgrace to our race, for men to be so inhuman as to wish to see their fellow-
man remain withered, and to dare to blame the gentle Physician who was
about to make him perfectly whole!Man is indeed at enmity with God when
he finds an argument for hate in a deed of love.
Our first question is, What was the cause of this anger and this grief? Then let
us enquire, Does anything of this sort rest in us? Do we cause our Lord anger
and grief? And, thirdly, let us ask, whatshould be our feeling, when we see
that something about us may cause, ordoes cause him, angerand grief? Oh
that the Holy Spirit may bless this sermon to all who hear me this day!
I. WHAT CAUSED THIS ANGER AND GRIEF? It was their hardness of
heart. To use other words, it was the callousnessoftheir consciencetheir want
of feeling. Their hearts had, as it were, grownhorny, and had lost their proper

softness. The hand may furnish us with an illustration. Some persons have
very delicate hands: the blind who read raisedtype with their fingers develop
specialsensitiveness, andthis sensitiveness is of greatvalue. But when men are
put to pick oakum, or break stones, ordo other rough work, their hands
become hard and callous:even so is it with the heart, which ought to be
exceedinglytender; through continuance in sin it becomes callous and
unfeeling. Use is secondnature: the traveller's foot gets hardened to the way,
his face becomes hardenedto the cold, his whole constitution is hardened by
his mode of life. Persons have takendeadly drugs by little and little till they
have been hardened againsttheir results: we read in history that Mithridates
had used poisontill at last he was unable to kill himself thereby, so hardened
had he become. But hardening is of the worstkind when it takes place in the
heart. The heart ought to be all tenderness;and when it is not, the life must be
coarse andevil. Yet multitudes are morally smitten with ossificationofthe
heart. Do we not know some men in whom the heart is simply a huge muscle?
If they have any hearts they are made of leather, for they have no pity for
anybody, no fellow-feeling even for their relatives. God save us from a hard
heart: it leads to something worse than death! A heart of flesh may be gone
out of a man, and instead thereof he may have a heart of stone: Scripture even
calls it "an adamant stone" -- unfeeling, unyielding, impenetrable, obstinate.
Those enemies of our Lord who sat in the synagogue thatSabbath-day were
incorrigible: they were desperatelyset on hating him, and they strengthened
themselves in the resolve that they would not be convinced, and would not
ceaseto oppose him, let him sayor do whateverhe might. Our Lord Jesus
became angry, grieved, and sorrowful with them.
What was their exactfault?
First, they would not see, though the case was clear. He had setthe truth so
plainly before them that they were obliged to strain their understandings to
avoid being convinced:they had to draw down the blinds of the soul, and put
up the shutters of the mind, to be able not to see. There are none so blind as

those that will not see, and these were of that blindest order; they were blind
people that had eyes and boastedthat they could see, and therefore their sin
was utterly without excuse. Ah, me! I fear that we have many around us still,
who know, but do not act on their knowledge;who do not wish to be
convinced and converted, but harden themselves againstknownduty and
plain right.
What was more, what these people were forcedto see they would not
acknowledge.Theysullenly held their tongues when they were bound to
speak. Doesit not happen to many persons that the gospelforces itselfupon
their belief? They feelthat they could not conjure up an argument againstthe
divine truth which is set before them: the word comes with such
demonstration that it smites them with sledge-hammerforce; but they do not
intend to admit its power, and so they brace themselves up to bear the blow
without yielding. They shut their months againstthe waterof life which is
held up to them in the goldencup of the gospel. No child could shut his teeth
more desperatelyagainstmedicine than they againstthe gospel. Any man may
take a horse to the water, but ten thousand cannotmake him drink, and this is
proved in many a hearer of the word. There satthese Scribes and Pharisees:it
is a wonder that the stones did not cry out againstthem, they were so
doggedlydetermined not to admit that which they could not deny. Are there
none of that breed among us still?
More than that, while they would not see what was so plain, they were
diligently seeking to spy out flaws and faults where there were none, namely,
in the Lord Jesus. So there are many who profess that they cannotunderstand
the gospel, but they have understanding enough to cavil at it, and castslurs
upon it. They have a cruelly keeneye for non-existent errors in Scripture:
they find this mistake in Deuteronomy, and the other in Genesis. Whatgreat
wisdom, to be diligent in making discoveries againstone's owneternal
interests!The gospelof the Lord Jesus is man's only hope of salvation: what a
pity to count it the height of cleverness to destroyour only hope! Alas for

captious sceptics!They are sharp-sighted as eagles againstthemselves, but
they are blind as bats to those things which make for their peace. These
Scribes and Phariseestried to discoverthe undiscoverable, namely, some fault
in Jesus, and yet they could not or would not see the wickednessoftheir own
opposition to him.
They dared to sit in judgment upon the Lord, who proved himself by his
miracles to be divine, and yet all the while they professedgreatreverence for
God and for his law. Though they were fighting againstGod, they made the
pretense of being very zealous for him, and especiallyfor his holy day. This is
an old trick of the enemy, to fight true religion with false religion, to battle
with godliness in the name of orthodoxy. This is a hollow sham, and we do not
wonder that our ever sincere and truthful Lord felt indignant at it. You will
know yourselves whether you ever do this. I fear that many do. By their zeal
for the externals of religionthey try to justify their oppositionto the vital
possessionofit.
Brethren, I pray that none of us may be hypocrites, for the Lord Jesus cannot
endure such. He cares not for whitewashedsepulchres, but proclaims woe
unto all false professors. Here let me give you a parable: -- In our fine old
churches and cathedrals you see monuments raisedto the dead. These are rich
in costly marble and fine statuary, with here and there a touch of gold, and a
Latin inscription flattering the dead. What a goodly show!Yet what does it all
mean? Why, that corpses are underneath. Take down those marble slabs,
remove a little earth, and you come to corruption and moving loathsomeness.
Graves are fitter for cemeteries than for the place which is consecratedto the
living God. I do not mean by this any censure upon the tombs, which are well
enough; I only use them as a parable. What shall I sayof those men and
women of whom they are the type and emblem? They are dead while they live,
and have a form of godliness but deny the powerof it; they presenta fair
outside, but secretlypractice all manner of abominations. What have these to
do in the church of God? What a horror to know that there are such in the

assemblies ofthe saints! O my hearers, dread the hardness which would
permit you to be hypocrites! Shun above all things that deadness of soulwhich
makes a false professionpossible, forthis is very grievous to the Lord.
A hard heart is insensible, impenetrable, inflexible. You canno more affectit
than if you should strike your hand againsta stone wall. Satan has fortified it,
and made its possessorto be steadfast, unmovable always abounding in the
works of sin. The enmity of such a heart leads it to resistall that is good;its
hardness returns the efforts of love in the form of opposition. Our Saviorsaw
before him persons who would oppose him whateverhe did, and would not
change their minds howeverthey might be made to see their error. Let this
suffice to explain the scene before us of our Lord grieved and angry.
II. I must now come closerhome, while I enquire, IS THERE ANYTHING OF
THIS SORT AMONG US? Oh, for help in the work of self-examination!
Remember, we may grieve the Saviorbecause ofthe hardness of our hearts,
and yet be very respectable people. We may go to the synagogue, as these did;
we may be Bible-readers, as the Scribes were;we may practice all the
outward forms of religion, as the Pharisees did; and yet the Lord Jesus may
be grieved with us because of the hardness of our heart.
We may angerthe Lord, and yet be strictly non-committal. I dare say there
are some here who are not Christians, and yet they never saya word against
Christianity. They are strictly neutral. They judge that the less they think or
say about this greatmatter the better. Jesus was angrythat men should be
silent when honesty and candour demanded speechof them. You must not
think you are going to escape by saying, "I am not a professor."There canbe
no third party in this case. In the eternal world there is no provision made for
neutrals. Those who are not with Jesus are againsthim, and they that gather

not with him are scattering abroad. You are either wheator tares, and there is
nothing betweenthe two. O sirs, you grieve him though you do not openly
oppose him! Some of you are especiallyguilty, for you ought to be amongstthe
foremostof his friends. Shame on you to treat the Lord so ill!
You may be very tender towards other people; in fact, you may have, like the
old Jewishking, greattenderness towards everybody but the Lord. Did not
Zedekiahsay, "The king is not he that cando anything againstyou?" I know
many who are so fond of pleasing others that they cannot be Christians. They
have not the moral courage to oppose any one for the truth's sake. O sirs, this
may well make Jesus look upon you with angerand grief; that you should be
so self denying, so kind, and so considerate to others, and yet act so cruelly to
him and to yourselves. To yourselves, it is a cruel kindness, to save yourselves
from speaking out. Your fear is driving you to spiritual suicide. To save a little
present trouble you are heaping up wrath and judgment.
Alas, this hardness of heart may be in us, though we have occasionalmeltings!
I think that man has a very hard heart who is at times deeply moved, but
violently represses his emotions. He hurries home to his chamber greatly
distressed, but in a short time he rallies, and shakes offhis fears. He goes to a
funeral, and trembles on the brink of the grave, but joins his merry
companions, and is at his sins again. He likes to hear a stirring sermon, but he
is careful not to go beyond his depth while hearing it. He is on the watch
againsthis own welfare, and is careful to keepout of the way of a blessing. By
a desperate resolve he holds out againstthe pressure of the grace ofGod, as it
comes to him in exhortations and entreaties. He is often rebuked, but he
hardens his neck;he is occasionallyon the verge of yielding, but he recovers
his evil firmness, and holds on his way with a perseveranceworthy of a better
cause. How often have we hoped better things for some of you! How often
have you blighted those hopes! You must be very hard in heart to hold out so
long. It shows a strong constitution when a man has frequently been near to
death, and yet has recovered;and it shows an awful vitality of evil when you

have been driven to the verge of repentance, and then have deliberately
turned back to the way of evil, sinning againstconscienceand conviction.
Yes, and we may have this hardness of heart, and yet keepquite clearof gross
sins. I have wondered at some men, how they have guarded themselves in
certain directions, and yet have been lax in other matters. While they have
gone to excess in sins againstGod, they have been scrupulous in avoiding
wrong towards man. Their sins have not been stones, but sand: I hope they do
not forgetthat "sandis heavy," and that a vesselcanas easilybe wrecked
upon a quicksand as upon a rock. Your outwardly moral man is often a
hardened rebel againstGod. His pride of characterhelps to harden him
againstthe gospelof grace. He condemns others who are really no worse than
himself. There is an abominable kind of prudence which keeps some men out
of certain sins: they are too mean to be prodigal, too fond of ease to plunge
into risky sins. Many a man is carried off his feetby a sudden flood of
temptation, and sins grievously, and yet at heart he may be by no means so
hardened as the cool, calculating transgressor. Woe unto the man who has
learned to sin deliberately, and to measure out iniquity as if it were a lawful
merchandize, to be weighedby the ounce and the pound! Why, sir, on account
of the evident strength of your mind better things are expected of you. You
cannot plead violence of passion, or feebleness ofjudgment. Foryou there will
be reservedthe deeper hell, though you escape presentcondemnation.
This hardness of heart may not overcome you to the full at present, and yet
you may have grave cause to dread it. Hardness of heart creeps over men by
insensible degrees.The hardest hearted man in the world was not so once;the
flesh of his heart was petrified little by little. He that can now curse and
blaspheme once wept for his boyish faults at his mother's knee, and would
have shuddered at the bare idea of falling asleepwithout a prayer. There are
those about us who would give worlds to be free from the bondage of habit, so
as to feelas once they did. Their soul is as parched as the Sahara, it has
forgottenthe dew of tears;their heart is hot as an oven with evil passions, and

no soft breath of holy penitence ever visits it. Oh that they could weep!Oh
that they could feel! Repentance is hid from their eyes. There remains nothing
sensitive about them, except it be the base imitation of it which comes over
them when they are in a maudlin state through strong drink. What calamity
can be greater? Whatcan be said of sin that is more terrible than that it
hardens and deadens? Welldid the apostle say, "Exhort one another daily,
while it is called To-day; lestany of you be hardened through the deceitfulness
of sin."
I cannot forbearsaying that among the hardened there are some who may be
said especiallyto provoke the Lord. Among these we must mention those who,
from their birth and education, receivedan unusually keenmoral sense, but
have blunted it by repeated crimes. Those sin doubly who have had double
light, and specialtenderness of nature. Judge, O ye sons of the godly, whether
there are not many such among you! Esauwas all the more a "profane
person" because he was a son of Isaac, knew something about the covenant
heritage, and had certain fine touches of nature which ought to have made
him a better man.
This is also true of those who have been indulged by Providence. Godhas
dealt with them with wonderful favor; they have continued long in good
health; they have been prosperous in business;their children have grown up
around them; they have all that heart can wish; and yet God receives from
them no gratitude; indeed, they hardly give a thought to him. Ingratitude is
sure to bring a curse upon the man who is guilty of it. Alas, the ungrateful are
numerous everywhere!Some who are well known to me should have
remembered the Lord, for he has granted them a smooth path, a full wallet,
and sunshine to travel in. If there were an honest heart in you, your hearts
would cleave to the Lord in deep and hearty love. Silkencords of love are
strongerwith true men than fetters of iron are to thieves.

Let me not forgetthe obligations of others who have been often chastened, for
this side of the question has its force also. Certainpersons have endured many
trials, they have often suffered pain of body, and have been brought at times
to the verge of the grave;they have lost the beloved of their eyes with a stroke;
they have followedtheir children to the grave:sorrows have been multiplied
to them. Yet, after all, they are hard of heart. The fire of affliction has not
softenedtheir iron nature. Why should they be strickenany more? They will
revolt more and more. The Lord himself cries, "O Ephraim, what shall I do
unto thee?" Long-suffering fails: mercy is weary. There are no more rods to
use upon you, as the bullock kicks out againstthe goad, so do you resistthe
chastening of the Lord God. The Savior looks upon all such with that grieving
angerof which the text speaks.
Alas! I dare not omit those towards whom the Saviormust feel this angervery
especially, becausethey have been the subjects of tender, earnest, faithful
ministry. I will not say much of my own personalministry, which has been
spent for years upon many of you; but assuredly if it has not affectedyou, it is
not for want of strong desire and intense longing to be of service to your souls.
God is my witness that I have kept back nothing of his truth. I have never
flattered you, neither have I occupiedthis pulpit to make it a platform for self-
display. I have not shunned to declare unto you the whole counselof God. But,
apart from this, certainof you have had the tender ministries of a holy mother
who is now with God, of a wise father who lives still to pray for you, of
affectionate teacherswho instructed you aright, and loving friends who sought
your good. Father, your child has wooedyou. Young man, your newly-
convertedwife has agonizedfor you, and is agonizing evennow. Very select
have been the agenciesusedupon you. Choice and musical the voices which
have endeavoredto charm you. If these do not reach you, neither would you
be converted though one rose from the dead. If Jesus himself were here again
among men, how could even he reachyou? If all the means he has already
used have failed with you, I know not what is to be done with you. The Savior
himself will, I fear, leave you; with a look of grief and angerhe will turn from
you because ofthe hardness of your heart. Stay, Lord Jesus, staya little
longer! Peradventure they will be won next time. Bid not thy Spirit take his

everlasting flight. Do not swearin thy wrath that they shall not enter into thy
rest, but be patient with them yet a little longer, for thy mercy's sake.
III. We must now close. Ohthat my poor pleadings may not have been lost
upon you! In many things which I have spokenthere has been a loud voice to
many of you; now hear me while I raise the question, WHAT SHOULD BE
OUR FEELING IN REFERENCE TO THIS SUBJECT?
First, let us renounce for ever the habit of cavilling. These Scribes and
Pharisees were greatword-spinners, critics, fault-finders. They found fault
with the Saviorfor healing on the Sabbath-day. He had not broken God's law
of the Sabbath, he had only exposedtheir error upon that point. If the
Sabbath had not furnished an opportunity for objection, they would soon
have found another; for they meant to object:one way or another, they
resolvedto contradict. Multitudes of persons in this present day are most
effectually hardening their hearts by the habit of cavilling. While others are
struck by the beauty of the gospelwhich they hear, these people only
remember a mispronunciation made by the preacher. Having commencedin
this line they begin to sit in judgment on the gospelpreached, and before long
the Scriptures themselves are subjectedto their alteration and correction.
Reverence is gone, and self-sufficience reigns supreme. They criticize God's
word. Any foolcan do that, but only a foolwill do it. They give themselves the
airs of literary men; they are not like common-place hearers:they require
something more intellectual. They look down with contempt upon people who
enjoy the gospel, and are proving the powerof it in their lives. They
themselves are persons of remarkable mind; men of light and leading, and it
gives them distinction to act the part of sceptics. Theyshow their great
learning by turning up their noses atthe plain teachings of the Bible. It seems
to be the greatfeature of a cultured man nowadays to weara sneerupon his
face when he meets with believers in inspiration. An idiot can attain in five
minutes to a high degree of contempt of others;do not exhibit such folly. Pride
of this sort ruins those who indulge it. To be unbelieving in order to show

one's superiority is an unsatisfactorybusiness. Let us never imitate that evil
spirit, who in the gardenof Eden proved himself to be the patron and
exemplar of all sceptics. Rememberhow he raisedthe question, "Yea, hath
God said?" Forgetnot how he went further, and, like a sage philosopher,
hinted that there was a larger hope: "Ye shall not surely die," said he. Then
he advanced to lay down a daring radical philosophy, and whispered, "God
doth know that in the day ye eatthereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and
ye shall be as gods." This old serpenthas left his trail on many minds at the
present day, and you cansee it in the slimy questions and poisonous
suggestionsofthe age. Getawayfrom cavilling: it is of all labors the least
remunerative.
Next, let us feel an intense desire to submit ourselves unto the Lord Jesus. If
he be in the synagogue, letus ask him to heal us, and to do it in his own way.
Let us become his disciples, and follow him whithersoeverhe goeth. Yield
yourselves unto God. Be as melted waxto the seal. Be as the waterof the lake,
which is moved with every breath of the wind. All he wills is our salvation.
Lord Jesus, letthy will be done!
Let us be careful to keepawayfrom all hardening influences, whether of
books, ormen, or habits, or pleasures. If there be any company which deadens
us as to spiritual things, which hinders our prayers, shakesour faith, or
damps our zeal, let us get out of it, and keepout of it. If any amusement
lessens ourhatred of sin, let us never go near it; if any book clouds our view of
Jesus, letus never read it. We grow hard soonenough through the needful
contactwith the world which arises out of work-day life and business
pursuits; let us not increase these evils. Shun the idler's talk, the scorner's
seat, and the way of the ungodly. Shun false doctrine, worldliness, and strife.
Keep clearof frivolity and trifling. Be in earnest, and be pure; live near to
God, and remove far off from the throne of iniquity.

Lastly, use all softening influences. Ask to have your heart daily rendered
sensitive by the indwelling of the quickening Spirit. Go often to hear the word:
it is like a fire, and like a hammer breaking the rock in pieces. Dwellatthe
foot of the cross it is there that tenderness is born into human hearts. Jesus
makes all hearts soft, and then stamps his image on them. Entreat the Holy
Ghostto give you a very vivid sense of sin, and a very intense dread of it. Pray
often according to the tenor of Charles Wesley's hymn, in which he cries --
"Quick as the apple of an eye,
O God, my consciencemake!
Awake my soul when sin is nigh,
And keepit still awake.
"Oh, may the leastomissionpain
My well-instructed soul
And drive me to the blood again,
Which makes the wounded whole!"

If such be the condition of our heart our Lord will not be angry with us. He
will look round upon us with joy, and take a delight in us.
So far I have kept to the text, bearing all the while the burden of the Lord. If
it be not heavy hearing to you, it is certainly painful preaching to me. That
same love which made the loving Jesus grievedhas driven me to speak after
this fashion. Not that I love men as much as he did; but a spark from his fire
has kindled in my soul, and is burning there according to the measure of grace
given. But now, my dear hearers, let me indulge myself with a word of gospel.
Surely there are some among you who desire to lose your hardness. You are
crying to yourselves --
"Heart of stone, relent! relent!
Melt by Jesus'love subdued!"
To you there is abundant cause ofhope. He who made the heart canmelt it.
Job said, "God makethmy heart soft." It is the peculiar office of the Holy
Spirit to renew our nature; indeed, he makes us to be born again, working on
the behalf of our Lord Jesus, whose royalword is, "BeholdI make all things
new." The Holy Ghostcan work in us convictionof sin, the new birth, faith in
the Lord Jesus, deepcontrition, and holy tenderness. Do you desire that it
should be so? Will you join me in a silent prayer that his melting operations
may at this moment be felt in your soul?
To you is the word of this salvationsent. The Lord God has undertaken to
glorify himself in redeeming his people from all iniquity. He has enteredinto
covenantwith his chosen, and all who believe in his Son Jesus are
comprehended in that number. The covenant speakethonthis wise:"A new

heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take
awaythe stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh."
(Ezekiel36:26.)See how this promise exactly meets your case!That kind of
heart which you so greatlyneed shall be given you, though indeed it is a
miracle of miracles to do it. A new arm or leg would be a wonder; but what
shall be said of a new heart? The spirit which you also so greatly require is to
be bestowed, your whole tone, temper, and tendency shall be altered in an
extraordinary manner. The Lord can drive out the evil spirit, and then he can
renew your spirit, and fill your being with his own Holy Spirit. As for that
nature which refuses to feel or yield, or break or bend, the Lord is able to take
this altogetheraway. Whatan operationto perform, and yet leave the patient
alive! "I will take awaythe stony heart out of your flesh." None but he that
made the heart could execute such delicate surgery as this. Do you think that
it can never be done in your case?Rememberthat the Lord never speaks
beyond his line; there is no boasting with him. His arm has not waxed short;
he is still able to save unto the uttermost. When the old stony heart is gone, the
Lord can fill up the empty space with the most gentle and sensitive affections,
even as he says, "Iwill give you an heart of flesh." By this means we shall be
made to stand in awe of God's word; we shall tremble before him; we shall
also feela childlike gratitude, a filial love, and a holy obedience. Insteadof
needing to be smitten with a hammer we shall feelthe slightesttouch of the
divine finger, and shall answerto the faintest callof the divine voice. What a
change!
Now this is matter of promise. See how the verse glitters with "I will," and "I
will." The Lord, who is able to perform his word, has spokenin this fashion,
and he will not run back from his promise. But please read the thirty-seventh
verse of this thirty-sixth chapter of Ezekiel, and mark it well. "Thus saith the
Lord God; I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for
them." Will you not enquire? Will you not ask the Lord to do this for you? If
so, your prayer has begun to be answered. Your desire is a tokenthat the
stone is softening, and flesh is taking its place. O Lord, grant that it may be so!
Believe in the Lord Jesus that he is able to do this unto you, and it shall be
according to your faith.

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