Moved With Compassion

The most deplorable, the most outcast of Jewish society knelt before the Miracle Worker. The man’s statement was not a request, but a declaration of faith: “If You are willing, You can make me clean” (Mark 1:40). Mark is the only gospel writer that gives us an insight as to the motivation of the Master for his cleansing touch upon the body and life of the leper. He expresses that Jesus was “moved with compassion” (Mark 1:41), stirred in the deep emotional recesses of His being.

What does it mean to be “moved with compassion?”

It had been a wonderful day of worship at the church where I was serving on staff. Following the Sunday evening service, my young family and I had enjoyed an excursion to McDonalds with young people and youth sponsors. After returning home, I was sitting on the couch in our family room and Rebekah, our oldest and about four years old at the time, walked in from the kitchen. As she came toward me she said with a pained look, “Daddy, I don’t feel so good!”

I cupped my hands just in time to catch most of the little explosion that erupted from her little tummy. My regret in that moment was that my hands were full and I could not wrap my arms around her to give her comfort. My next thought was—that in a heartbeat—I would gladly have exchanged places with my little girl if it would have spared her this pain and little indignity.

I was “moved with compassion.” It is only a thumbnail of the compassion with which Jesus is moved for us, but it gives me an idea. In the deep emotional recesses of His being He has a complete understanding of our pain and distress, and whenever and with whatever we come to Jesus, we know that His hands are NOT full, and He can wrap His arms around us!

The Preoccupied Prince of Peace

In Mark 1:35-39, the Prince of Peace seems rather preoccupied. Jesus had just completed an extremely successful Sabbath day in Capernaum. He’d preached an amazing sermon in the synagogue, mesmerizing the congregation with an authority that rose far above the scribes to whom they were accustomed. He then finished off the service by casting a demon out of a man. Imagine that—someone came to church full of the devil! By the end of the day, Mark declares that the whole city had gathered at the door of Peter’s house where Jesus was staying, and He healed many and cast out many demons.

The next morning, however, Peter and his companions awaken to discover the Miracle Worker is nowhere in the house. In the dark Jesus had arisen and stolen away to a quiet, lonely place to pray—to talk with the Father. The disciples literally track Him down. Their hearts and minds are brimming with anticipation because He has the whole city eating out of the palm of His hand, so they announce to Him, “Everyone is looking for You!”

Jesus’ response must have startled them. He makes it clear that the sensation seeking crowds of Capernaum will have no bearing on the next ministry initiative. Without hesitation He insists, “Let’s go somewhere else!” He must preach in other places because that is what He came for.

The Prince of Peace is preoccupied with prayer to the Father, preaching the Kingdom (Mark 1:14, 15), and the purpose for which He came.

When I am “preoccupied,” I don’t usually think of myself as being “at peace.” Perhaps though, it is these very preoccupations that make Jesus the Prince of Peace. Alas, I am too often “preoccupied” with the wrong things!

Lord, today, may I be “preoccupied” with prayer, with sharing the good news of your Kingdom, and with the unique purpose that you have for my life!