We’re all familiar with “the shortest verse in the Bible”, John 11:35 (though if you’re looking for absolutes, there’s at least one verse shorter than that, if you consider the language in which the verse was written). We’re also well aware that it was not Jesus’ sorrow at Lazarus’ death that brought Him to tears, but rather his compassion for Lazarus’ friends and family. That’s a very easy connection to make, and certainly one that I believe to be correct.
What about examples of the compassion of Jesus in the Old Testament? Surely there aren’t any, are there? How could there be any examples in the Old Testament of Jesus at all, since he was born some 300 years after it was completed?
While it’s true that the man known as Jesus Barjoseph was born 2,000 some-odd years ago, the heavenly Being represented on earth as Jesus the Christ wasn’t born at all, and was involved in our lives since before time began. I doubt that will be any great revelation to you, so I’ll get to my point…
In 2 Kings 18, we read of a threat against Israel by the king of Assyria. This disturbed King Hezekiah, but he did the right thing and consulted God’s prophet Isaiah. The prophet told the king not to worry about it, Sennacherib would not succeed. In 2 Kings 19:35, we read this:
That night the angel of the LORD went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning—there were all the dead bodies!
“The angel of the LORD” was Jesus. (If that’s a new concept to you, I’d encourage you to study the subject to see if this is correct. Here are two articles with which to begin:Â 1 2 .) So how does this show His compassion? It shows His compassion by delivering God’s people. God not only won the victory when His Son defeated the enemy, but at the same time He showed the Israelites one more sign that He was their God, and that He will provide.
What signs has God shown you? I believe the age of miracles has ceased, but if you aren’t seeing signs from God, then I suggest you simply aren’t looking.
How do you see Jesus’ compassion demonstrated today? Again, if you don’t see it — look! He’s very much here, and very much still active in the lives of God’s people.