Topical Bible: The Jews: Compassion of Christ For

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The compassion of Christ for the Jewish people is a profound theme woven throughout the New Testament, reflecting His deep love and concern for His own people. Jesus, born into a Jewish family and raised in the Jewish tradition, consistently demonstrated a heartfelt compassion for the Jews, even as He fulfilled His mission as the Messiah.

Jesus' Ministry to the Jews

Jesus' earthly ministry was primarily directed towards the Jewish people. In Matthew 15:24 , Jesus states, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." This declaration underscores His initial focus on the Jewish nation, emphasizing His desire to bring them back to God. Throughout His ministry, Jesus traveled extensively through Jewish regions, teaching in synagogues, healing the sick, and proclaiming the Kingdom of God.

Expressions of Compassion

One of the most poignant expressions of Christ's compassion for the Jews is found in Matthew 9:36 : "When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." This verse reveals Jesus' deep empathy for the spiritual and physical needs of the Jewish people, recognizing their vulnerability and longing for guidance.

In Luke 19:41-42 , as Jesus approached Jerusalem, He wept over the city, saying, "If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes." His tears for Jerusalem reflect His sorrow over the impending judgment and His desire for the Jews to recognize Him as their Messiah.

Parables and Teachings

Jesus often used parables to convey His compassion and the inclusive nature of God's Kingdom. The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) challenges prevailing Jewish attitudes towards outsiders and emphasizes love and mercy towards all, including those marginalized by society. Through such teachings, Jesus sought to expand the Jewish understanding of neighborly love and compassion.

Healing and Miracles

The Gospels recount numerous instances where Jesus healed Jewish individuals, demonstrating His compassion through miraculous acts. In Mark 1:40-42 , a leper approached Jesus, imploring Him for healing. Moved with compassion, Jesus touched the man and healed him, defying social norms and religious taboos to restore him to health and community.

The Passion of Christ

The ultimate expression of Christ's compassion for the Jews—and indeed for all humanity—is found in His willingness to suffer and die on the cross. In John 10:11 , Jesus declares, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." His sacrificial death was an act of profound love, offering redemption and reconciliation to the Jewish people and the world.

Christ's Lament Over Jerusalem

In Matthew 23:37 , Jesus laments, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling." This lament highlights His deep yearning for the Jewish people to accept His message and find refuge in His love.

Conclusion

The compassion of Christ for the Jews is a testament to His unwavering love and commitment to His people. Through His teachings, miracles, and ultimate sacrifice, Jesus sought to draw the Jewish nation to Himself, offering them the hope and salvation promised through the prophets. His compassion remains a central theme in understanding His mission and the heart of the Gospel message.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 23:37
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kill the prophets, and stone them which are sent to you, how often would I have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and you would not!
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 19:41
And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Death of Lazarus. --Christ's Conversation with Martha (John ...
... The Jews around, sympathizing in her sorrow, could not refrain ... And Jesus wept in
the depth of his compassion. ... we must bear in mind, too, that Christ was Man as ...
/.../section 232 the death of.htm

Of the Birth of Our Saviour, Whereby the Word was Made Flesh; and ...
... dispersed among all nations, wherever the Church of Christ is spread ... has shown the
Church in her enemies the Jews the grace of His compassion, since, as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 46 of the birth of.htm

Christ Crucified.
... Poor, helpless Pilate was not so great a sinner as the Jews who might have known
better, who were ... The words of Christ are really words of compassion. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/christ crucified.htm

The Kingdom of Christ
... Yes, Christ's humanity is no less now than when he wept ... sacred heart is touched with
a divine compassion for the ... over his chosen vine, the nation of the Jews. ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon xxiii the kingdom of christ.htm

The Second Epistle to the Corinthians the Creator the Father of ...
... the prophets) has been described as "full of compassion, and gracious ... Moses from
their view, if the Christ of the ... How are the hearts of the Jews represented as ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xi the second epistle to.htm

Christ's Sermon on the Mount in Manner and Contents it So ...
... is promised by Christ, to whose merciful compassion belong, and ... predicted this, the
charge to Marcion's Christ must be ... He says by Isaiah to the Jews, who were ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xiv christs sermon on the.htm

The Bishop at Work
... also was not behind hand in quelling such bloody ruffianism, for the Jews were
afterwards ... He would use these as a text and speak of Christ's compassion to the ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter v the bishop at.htm

Those Persons Prove Themselves Senseless who Exaggerate the Mercy ...
... coming to save those who received Him, taking compassion upon them ... so are we, too,
by that of the Jews; if, indeed ... are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxviii those persons prove themselves.htm

Barriers Broken Down
... her case with increased earnestness, bowing at Christ's feet, and ... to the unfeeling
prejudice of the Jews, answered, "It ... of Jesus, she saw a compassion that He ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 43 barriers broken down.htm

Christ
... The Jews were not deceived. ... balance the wonder of it, "and our Saviour Jesus Christ;"
he who ... SAME JESUS," full of tender mercy, and loving compassion; by virtue ...
//christianbookshelf.org/haldeman/christ christianity and the bible/christ.htm