The Compassion of Jesus (Mark 1:40-45)
This sermon delves into a powerful encounter from the life of Jesus, where his deep compassion transforms a life marred by disease and social isolation. It offers a fresh perspective on what it means to be truly moved by another's pain and how that compassion translates into action.
This sermon explores Jesus' profound compassion, a visceral response that moves him to action, as demonstrated by his healing of a man with leprosy. It challenges listeners to embody this same compassion by loving those immediately in front of them and acting for one what they wish they could do for all.
Overview
The sermon begins by focusing on Mark 1:40-45, where Jesus encounters a man with leprosy. It highlights the man's bold faith, asking Jesus, "If you are willing, you can make me clean," and Jesus' immediate response of compassion, touching and curing him. This act is significant because leprosy in biblical times carried immense social, physical, and spiritual stigma, isolating individuals completely from society.
The preacher delves into the ancient understanding of leprosy, explaining it was seen not just as a physical disease but also as a spiritual uncleanness, often equated with sin. Examples from Numbers and 2 Chronicles illustrate how God sometimes used leprosy as a divine judgment, contributing to the societal belief that lepers were suffering due to their sin. This context underscores the man's courage and Jesus' radical compassion.
A key focus is the Greek word "splagchnizomai," translated as "filled with compassion" or "moved in the bowels," indicating a deep, visceral, and compelling urge to act. The sermon provides several scriptural examples of Jesus demonstrating this "splagchnizomai" compassion—healing the sick, feeding the hungry, restoring sight, and even resurrecting the dead. It also describes the Good Samaritan and the prodigal son's father as embodying this same quality.
Finally, the sermon emphasizes that this compassion is the very nature of God and that we are the objects of his profound compassion, no matter our past. It then presents compassion as an assignment for every Christian, offering two practical principles: "Love who's right in front of you" and "Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone." The message concludes with an invitation to receive God's compassion, seek healing, and extend compassion to others.
Key points
- The sermon examines Jesus' healing of a man with leprosy in Mark 1:40-45, highlighting Jesus' authority and compassion.
- Leprosy in biblical times was incurable, leading to extreme isolation and a societal belief that it indicated spiritual uncleanness or sin.
- The leper's request, "If you are willing, you can make me clean," demonstrated his faith in Jesus' power to cleanse more than just physically.
- Jesus, "filled with compassion," touched the man, which was culturally and legally forbidden, immediately making the unclean man clean through his holiness.
- The Greek word "splagchnizomai" describes Jesus' deep, visceral compassion that compels him to action, shown in multiple biblical stories.
- Compassion is presented as God's nature, with humanity being the object of His boundless compassion.
- Christians are called to embrace compassion as an assignment, applying principles like loving those in front of them and doing for one what they wish they could do for all.
In Rick Warren's words
“If you are willing, you can make me clean.”
“I am willing. Be clean.”
“When Jesus touches something that is unclean, Jesus doesn't become unclean. Jesus makes that unclean thing clean.”
Outline
- I. The Healing of the Leper (Mark 1:40-45)
- A. The Leper's Courage and Faith
- B. Jesus' Compassionate Response and Touch
- II. The Significance of Leprosy in Biblical Times
- A. Physical and Social Isolation
- B. Spiritual Parallels and Uncleanliness
- 1. Leviticus 13: Rules for the Unclean
- 2. Old Testament Examples of Divine Judgment (Miriam, King Uzziah)
- C. Leprosy as a Parallel to Sin's Effects
- III. The Meaning of Jesus' Compassion (splagchnizomai)
- A. A Visceral, Gut-Level Urge to Act
- B. Examples of Jesus' splagchnizomai
- 1. Healing the Sick (Matthew 14, Matthew 20)
- 2. Delivering from Demons (Mark 9)
- 3. Raising the Dead (Luke 7)
- 4. The Good Samaritan (Luke 10)
- 5. The Prodigal Son's Father (Luke 15)
- C. Compassion as the Nature of God
- 1. God's Self-Description to Moses
- 2. We are the Object of His Compassion
- IV. Compassion as the Christian's Assignment (Colossians 3)
- A. Overcoming Compassion Fatigue
- B. Two Guiding Principles
- 1. Love who's right in front of you
- 2. Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone
- V. Invitation to Respond
- A. Receive Jesus' Compassion and Forgiveness
- B. Seek Jesus' Touch in Painful Situations
- C. Be God's Hands of Compassion to Others
Scripture references
- Mark 1:40-45
- Leviticus 13
- Numbers
- 2 Chronicles
- Habakkuk
- Matthew 14
- Matthew 20
- Mark 9
- Luke 7
- Luke 10
- Luke 15
- Colossians 3
40 And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.
42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.
43 And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;
1 And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, saying,
2 When a man shall have in the skin of his flesh a rising, a scab, or bright spot, and it be in the skin of his flesh like the plague of leprosy; then he shall be brought unto Aaron the priest, or unto one of his sons the priests:
1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,
2 And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.
1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
1 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.
2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.
1 Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.
2 And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.
1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Insights
Jesus' compassion extends to those society deems unclean or unworthy.
True holiness cleanses and restores; it does not fear defilement.
God's compassion is a visceral, active force, not just a feeling.
Questions & answers
What was the significance of Jesus touching the leper?
Touching a leper was forbidden by law and made a person ceremonially unclean. Jesus' act of reaching out and touching the leper demonstrated his radical compassion and the powerful nature of his holiness, which cleansed the leper rather than becoming defiled itself.
What is 'splagchnizomai' and why is it important?
Splagchnizomai is a Greek word translated as 'filled with compassion' or 'moved in the bowels,' signifying a deep, visceral, gut-level response that compels action. It reveals the profound, active nature of Jesus' compassion, which always leads him to intervene and help.
How did people in ancient Israel view leprosy?
Leprosy was not only a dreaded physical disease but also carried significant spiritual and social stigma. It was often equated with sin or seen as a sign of divine judgment, leading to complete isolation and the requirement to declare oneself 'unclean.'
What are the practical applications for showing compassion taught in this sermon?
The sermon suggests two principles: 'Love who's right in front of you,' meaning to actively look for and respond to the needs of people in your daily life, and 'Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone,' encouraging specific acts of kindness despite feeling overwhelmed by larger problems.
How is God's compassion relevant to individuals today?
The sermon teaches that compassion is the very nature of God, and every person is the object of His compassion. He runs toward the wayward, offers forgiveness, and desires to welcome everyone home, no matter how far they feel they've gone.
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