Lesson 6 for the 9th of August, 2008

God’s compassion was shown when He became a human being, He lived among us and He died for us

Christ's life was one of constant self-sacrifice. His work was not confined to any time or place. It was bounded only by His love and sympathy for the souls for whom He was soon to give His life. His compassion knew no limit. On so large a scale did He conduct His work of healing and teaching, that there was no building in Palestine large enough to hold the multitudes that thronged to Him. In every town and village through which He passed was to be found His hospital. On the hillsides of Galilee, in the great thoroughfares of travel, on the seashore, in the synagogues, in every place where there were hearts ready to hear His message, Jesus healed the people and pointed them to their heavenly Father. In the evening, after the hours of toil were over, He talked with those who through the day must work to earn a pittance for the support of their families. E.G.W. (The Upward Look, the 12th of November) When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them Matthew, 9: 36; Mark, 6: 34; Mark, 8: 2

His compassion led him to treat each person individually, teaching great truths to particular individuals On his relationships, Jesus gave each person what he needed “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John, 3: 16) “I who speak to you am he (Messiah)” (John, 4: 26)

His illustrations were taken from the things of daily life, and although they were simple, they had in them a wonderful depth of meaning. The fowls of the air, the lilies of the field, the seed, the shepherd and the sheep,- -with these objects, Christ illustrated immortal truth; and ever afterward, when his hearers chanced to see these things of nature, they recalled his words... Christ's words, so comforting and cheering to those that listened to them, are for us today. As a faithful shepherd knows and cares for his sheep, so Christ cares for his children. He knows the trials and difficulties surrounding each one. Ellen G. White (Review and Herald, )

This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew, 26: 28) If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive (Luke, 17: 3) Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing (Luke, 23: 34) Forgive, and you will be forgiven (Luke, 6: 37) Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven (Matthew, 9: 2)

When Christ saw the multitudes that gathered about Him, "He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd." Christ saw the sickness, the sorrow, the want and degradation of the multitudes that thronged His steps. To Him were presented the needs and woes of humanity throughout the world. Among the high and the low, the most honored and the most degraded, He beheld souls who were longing for the very blessing He had come to bring; souls who needed only a knowledge of His grace, to become subjects of His kingdom. Today the same needs exist. The world is in need of workers who will labor as Christ did for the suffering and the sinful. There is indeed a multitude to be reached. The world is full of sickness, suffering, distress, and sin. It is full of those who need to be ministered unto--the weak, the helpless, the ignorant, the degraded. Ellen G. White (Counsels on Health, page 14)

“The world is in need of workers who will labor as Christ did”