The life and ministry of Jesus Christ are replete with instances of His profound compassion and sympathy for the poor. This aspect of His character is a central theme in the Gospels, where His actions and teachings consistently reflect a deep concern for those marginalized by society.

Jesus' Mission to the Poor

From the outset of His ministry, Jesus identified His mission with the poor. In the synagogue at Nazareth, He read from the scroll of Isaiah, declaring, "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor" (Luke 4:18). This proclamation set the tone for His earthly ministry, emphasizing His commitment to bringing hope and salvation to those in need.

Teaching on the Kingdom of God

Jesus frequently taught about the Kingdom of God in a way that highlighted the blessedness of the poor. In the Beatitudes, He stated, "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God" (Luke 6:20). This pronouncement not only affirmed the dignity of the poor but also promised them a place of honor in God's eternal kingdom.

Acts of Compassion

Throughout His ministry, Jesus demonstrated compassion for the poor through His actions. He fed the hungry, as seen in the miraculous feeding of the five thousand (Matthew 14:13-21), and He healed the sick, often those who were destitute and without means to seek medical help. His miracles were not merely displays of power but acts of mercy that addressed the physical and spiritual needs of the impoverished.

Parables and Teachings

Jesus used parables to illustrate His concern for the poor and to challenge societal norms. The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) serves as a stark reminder of the eternal consequences of neglecting the needy. In this account, the rich man's indifference to Lazarus, a poor beggar, results in a reversal of fortunes in the afterlife, underscoring the importance of compassion and justice.

Encouragement to His Followers

Jesus encouraged His followers to emulate His compassion for the poor. He instructed them to give generously and to care for those in need, saying, "Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with purses that will not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven" (Luke 12:33). This directive highlights the eternal value of acts of charity and the importance of prioritizing spiritual wealth over material possessions.

The Widow's Offering

In observing the widow's offering at the temple, Jesus commended her sacrificial giving, noting, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all the others" (Luke 21:3). Her act of giving, despite her poverty, exemplified the kind of faith and devotion that Jesus valued, further illustrating His respect and compassion for the poor.

Final Judgment

In the account of the final judgment, Jesus identifies Himself with the poor and needy, stating, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me" (Matthew 25:40). This teaching reinforces the idea that acts of kindness and compassion towards the poor are, in essence, acts of service to Christ Himself.

Through His teachings, actions, and ultimate sacrifice, Jesus Christ exemplified unparalleled compassion and sympathy for the poor, setting a standard for His followers to emulate in their own lives.Mark 8:2
I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Compassion of Jesus
... of friends would be unavailing, he has been moved with compassion towards us ... traduced,
and slandered, we have found in the sympathy of Christ our richest ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 60 1914/the compassion of jesus.htm

Christian Sympathy
... If there be no act there is no sympathy. ... have need, and shutteth up his bowels of
compassion from him ... persuaded that there are times when, if Christ were upon ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/christian sympathy.htm

The Mind which was in Christ Jesus. Rev. George Wood.
... irritable, and who has no bowels of compassion for the ... This active sympathy is the
very genius of our ... All these elements of character in Christ were directed ...
/.../king/the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/the mind which was in.htm

The Incarnation.
... of injuring and disobeying, has through compassion and sympathy ... Christ had no money
to give, no knowledge of ... it is not money at all, but sympathy, which all ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/i the incarnation.htm

Silent Christians
... experience of looking on the world with Christ's eyes, or of ... caught from Him, and
have no sympathy with, in ... and shutteth up his bowels of compassion against him ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/silent christians.htm

Introduction
... to insignificance by this incomparable courage of Christ. ... is the boundless and tender
sympathy of this ... picture of such perfect compassion, tenderness, and love ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/introduction.htm

In his Temple
... to be the guardians of the people; but they were without sympathy or compassion. ...
Looking upon Christ, they behold divinity flash through the garb of humanity ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 16 in his temple.htm

Who is on the Lord's Side? Exodus 32:26.
... the sinner, without at the same time manifesting compassion for his ... No sympathy with
the Son of God, who gave his ... any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/who is on the lords.htm

Christ
... Compassion, sympathy, beneficence, the tenderness of a mother for her ... it is recorded
that God manifested himself to ... If Jesus Christ were not God, then he did ...
//christianbookshelf.org/haldeman/christ christianity and the bible/christ.htm

The True Spirit of Missions.
... superficial and ill-founded character of Christ's compassion, where should ... to the
fact, that no sympathy or enthusiasm ... The more we become like Christ, the more ...
/.../dibble/thoughts on missions/chapter i the true spirit.htm

What does the Bible say about empathy? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Good Samaritan? | GotQuestions.org

Does God have emotions? | GotQuestions.org

Compassion: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus