Children have the DNA of their parents.
There is a family resemblance. God is the God of compassion.
We are to grow in the likeness of Jesus. Have you ever noticed how Jesus’ heart of compassion often preceded the miracles?
Both Matthew and Mark say that when Jesus saw the large crowd, “he had compassion on them. “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them,” healed their sick, began to teach them and feed the five thousand with the five loaves of bread and the two fish (See Matthew’s account in Matthew 14, Mark’s account in Mark 6).
Earlier in the book of Matthew, he said, “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness” because “he had compassion on them , because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Mattt. 9:35-36).
Both Matthew and Mark record the motivation that led to the feeding of the four thousand: “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way” (Matt. 15:32; See also Mark 8:2).
One day when Jesus and the twelve were leaving Jericho, two blind men kept shouting after him. The crowd kept trying to shut them up, but “Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him” (Matt. 20:34).
I wonder. Could it be that one of the reasons we see less miracles is that we have placed more emphasis on the miracles than on the hearts of compassion?
Lord, help us. We want to be more like you!