When the Pharisees saw a person who was sick or hurting, they sought to place blame: Did the person sin, did their parents sin? (John 9:1) And while these questions made for great philosophical debates, no one was healed, or changed, or rescued.

When Jesus saw someone hurting and in pain, He had compassion. He didn’t blame their parents or the person. He never said, “Well if you had not broken the law, you wouldn’t be in this position.” No, Jesus saw the hurting, had compassion, and then proceeded to heal, feed, and forgive.

Jesus wanted some quiet time to mourn the loss of John the Baptist, yet the crowds still came to Him. They would not leave him alone. But even though Jesus was grieving, even though His physical body needed rest, when He saw the crowds, He had compassion and gave of Himself. He healed the people.

Lord, help me, help our nation to be more like Jesus. Let us have compassion for those who are hurting, in pain, in need. Let us not seek to place blame and accuse one another. But let us look to You to find compassionate solutions to difficult problems. Let us give, when it seems we have nothing left to give. Let us heal, feed, forgive those who are hurting. Let us become more and more like Jesus.

“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