Luke 7:12-13 ... Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
Luke 7:14-15 ... And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.
Hebrews 4:15 ... For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Romans 9:15 ... For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. ❤
In the Person of our adorable Redeemer, we behold mercy
incarnate. This was the garb in which the whole of His other virtues were
arrayed, the soft luster with which they were all surrounded and adorned.
His miracles were miracles of mercy; a feature which rendered
them widely different from those which were performed by former messengers whom
God had sent. We behold Moses inflicting upon Egypt the most frightful
plagues; we see Elijah slaying the prophets of Baal, and Elisha
commissioning the bears of the forest to destroy his 42 youthful mockers.
But Jesus wrought no miracles but those of benevolence. His heart was a
fountain of mercy, and its streams were perpetually flowing!
The compassion of Christ, as displayed in the works which he
wrought, was distinguished by the most touching discrimination. This
strikingly appears in the three memorable instances in which he exerted his
divine power over death, and brought its captives back again to life.
The daughter of the synagogue ruler was an only
daughter; the brother of Martha and Mary was their only brother;
and the son of the widowed mother of Nain was her only son.
In the selection he thus made, we cannot fail to admire
the Savior's tenderness; for while his authority over the king of terrors
was signally manifested, under no other circumstances could such deep
sorrow be relieved, and joy so thrilling be imparted. Mourning for an
only son is frequently represented as the epitome of distress; and it was
grief of that nature which was now turned into gladness, when the great
Arbiter of life and death spoke the words, "Young man, I say unto you:
Arise! Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back
to his mother."
The apostle reminds us that we have "a great high
priest," but he also shows that he is merciful as well as great, being
touched with the feeling of our infirmities.
Oh, how was His tender heart touched by the scene He witnessed on this occasion! The sight excited the liveliest emotions in His sinless bosom; and with a look beaming with pity, and in the most tender tones, He said to her, "Do not weep!"
In the Person of our adorable Redeemer, we behold mercy incarnate. This was the garb in which the whole of His other virtues were arrayed; the soft luster with which they were all surrounded and adorned.
Such was the character of Jesus in the days of His flesh, and such is it still. He with whom we have to do, whose favor we implore, and whose blessings we supplicate, far from being a harsh, unfeeling Master is a loving Savior and compassionate Friend. His heart is a fountain of mercy, and its streams are perpetually flowing!
In the Person of our adorable Redeemer, we behold mercy incarnate. This was the garb in which the whole of His other virtues were arrayed; the soft luster with which they were all surrounded and adorned.
Such was the character of Jesus in the days of His flesh, and such is it still. He with whom we have to do, whose favor we implore, and whose blessings we supplicate, far from being a harsh, unfeeling Master is a loving Savior and compassionate Friend. His heart is a fountain of mercy, and its streams are perpetually flowing!
[John MacDuff]
