Title: Show Compassion
Memorize: And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. Matthew 14:14 (Nkjv)
Bible Reading: Matthew 14:14-21 (Nkjv)
[14] And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.
[15] When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.”
[16] But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
[17] And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.”
[18] He said, “Bring them here to Me.”
[19] Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes.
[20] So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.
[21] Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Message:
Showing compassion means putting yourself in someone else’s situation to feel what he or she feels so that you can respond to the situation appropriately.
In today’s Bible reading, Jesus was moved by compassion, so He provided food for over 5,000 people who came to listen to Him.
As God’s child, you may not be able to feed five thousand people at once, but you can start with your neighbour who is in need.
You will feel compassion for the less privileged if you are truly God’s child.
During our special programmes, such as the Annual Convention, we have various avenues to meet the needs of people beyond just preaching God’s word to them. We give many people free food, free medical services, et cetera.
My dear child, some of your classmates may not have accepted Christ and may be poor.
If you have been preaching to them and they are not responding, try to meet one of their pressing needs and see what God would do through it.
Your kind gesture may make them accept the gospel of Christ.
Action Point:
As much as you can, try to meet someone’s pressing need today.
HYMN 27: WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN in JESUS
1 What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
2 Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3 Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there
Bible In One Year: Ezekiel 10:1-11:25, Hebrews 6:1-20
Authors: Pastor E. A. Adeboye and Pastor Folu Adeboye