THE TENDERNESS OF HIS LOVE

"But when He saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd". Mathew 9:36

Summary: In the life and ministry of Christ we have perfect example of gentleness, of compassion, as Jesus was seeking to save as many as would be saved.

The compassion Lord felt the needs for other, his love and care reached all classes of people regardless whom they were in the society. Not only He loved His friends but also those who were considering Him as their enemies. He used carefully His words in correction and rebuking. In short in every field Jesus was seeking an opportunity to sow a soul.

The Woman caught in Adultery

John 8: 2-11

The compassion of Jesus was not only to this woman but extends to those who were so evil in their intentions.

He had not set aside the law given through Moses, nor infringed upon the authority of Rome.

"'Neither do I condemn thee: go and sin no more'. Her heart was melted and she cast herself at the feet of Jesus, sobbing out her grateful love, and with bitter tears confessing her sins.

This was to her the beginning of a new life, a life of purity and peace devoted to the service of God. In the uplifting of this fallen soul, Jesus performed a greater miracle than in healing the most grievous physical disease; He cured the spiritual malady which is unto death everlasting. This penitent woman became one of His most steadfast followers. With self-sacrificing love and devotion she repairs His forgiving mercy.

In His act of pardoning this woman and encouraging her to live better life, the character of Jesus shines forth in the beauty of perfect righteousness. While He does not palliate sin, nor lessen the sense of guilt. He seeks not to condemn, but to save. The world had for this erring woman only contempt and scorn: but Jesus speaks words of comfort and hope. The sinless one pities the weakness of the sinner, and reaches to her helping hand. While the hypocritical Pharisees denounce, Jesus bids her, ‘Go, and sin no more.'

It is not Christ's follower that, with averted eyes, turn from the erring, leaving them unhindered to pursue their downward course. Those who are forward in accusing others, and zealous in bring them to justice, are often in their own lives more guilt than they. Men hate sinners, while they love sin; Christ hates sin, but loves the sinner. This will be the spirit of all who follow Him. Christian love is slow to censure, quick to discern penitence, ready to forgive, to set wanderer in the path of holiness, and to stay in his feet."

[EGW, Desire of Ages, Ch.50 = "Among snares", page. 462]

1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Isaiah 1: 18, "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be like crimson, they shall be as wool."

For the Children

Mathew 19: 13, 14, "Then were there brought unto Him little children, that he should put [His] hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said suffer little children, and forbid them not to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

Mathew 18: 2 - 6, "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

"Jesus loves little children, when the mothers brought their children to Jesus, the disciples attempted to send them away. But Jesus rebuked them, and said, ‘suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven'. He then gathered them in His loving arms and blessed them. Those parents and teachers who have no love or patience with children are to be pitied, for they have not the mind of Christ. Those who are seeking to gather the children into the Sabbath school are doing a good work, the very work the master would be pleased to have them do. The expanding minds of even small children may comprehend very much in regard to the teachings of Christ, and may be taught to love Him with all their ardent affections. Teachers and parents would sow beside all waters, and if faithful they may have a harvest of souls by and by. And when they shall see the souls for whom they have labored, around great white throne, with crowns and white robes and harps of gold, they will feel than that their effort were not lost. The well done, good and faithful servant will fall upon their ears as sweet music".

[EGW, Counsels on Sabbath school work, Ch.2 = "A School for Bible study", page 6]

For the Lazarus Family

John 11:5, "Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus."

Luke 10:38 -42

>>For Jesus, destiny hung upon every minute of His time with us, and in that context, kitchen work did not count regardless of its importance.

>>There's something infinitely more importance than entertaining, and many has found it.

"In the inspired record we are told that ‘Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus'. Yet after received the message [Lazarus was sick], He abode two days still in the same place where He was. Guided by divine wisdom, He did not go at once to His beloved friends. The message that came to Him did not meet with an immediate response. Mary and Martha did not say, ‘Lord, come at once and heal our brother!' They had confidence in Jesus, believing that He would do what was best for them. At length He said to His disciples, ‘Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake Him out of sleep.'"

[EGW, Daughters of God, Ch.3 = "Women of Note in the New Testament", pg. 59]

For His Enemies

Mathew 5:44, "But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."

This is our Father's character. {Proceed to verse 48}

When our parents [Adam and Eve] fell into sin, the whole planet had united with Satan against divine authority. While were yet enemies of Christ still He loved us and came to redeem us.

Recall how many times Jesus tried to rescue Judas, how He healed the ear of the servant when Peter cut it.

"That prayer of Christ for His enemies, embraced the world. It took in every sinner that had lived or should live, from the beginning of the world to the end of time. Upon all rests the guilt of crucifying the son of God. To all, forgiveness is freely offered. ‘Whosoever will' may have peace with God, and inherit eternal life."

[EGW, The Desire of Ages, Ch. 78 = "Calvary", page 746]

For Israel

Mathew 23: 37, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not!"

Mathew 23:25 - 37, >> woe unto Pharisees and scribes.

"Little did the Jews realized the terrible responsibility involved in rejecting Christ. From the time when the first innocent blood was shed, when righteous Abel fell by the hand of Cain, the same history had been repeated with increasing guilt. In every ages prophets had lifted up their voices against the sins of kings, rulers and people, speaking the words which God gave them and obeying. His will at the peril of their lives. From generation to generation there had been heaping up a terrible punishment for the rejecters of light and truth. Thus the enemies of Christ were now drawing down upon their own heads. The sin of the priests and rulers was greater than that of any preceding generation. By their rejection of the savior, they were making themselves responsible for the blood off all the righteous men slain from Abel to Christ. They were about to fill to overflowing their cup of iniquity. And soon it was to be poured upon their heads in retributive justice of this Jesus warned them."

[EGW, The Desire of Ages, Ch. 67 = "Woes on the Pharisees", pg. 619]

Though Jesus knew what was soon to face Israelite nation, He rebuked their sin and superstition so they might repent. He did not cherish for their loss but was grieved because though He was giving them a last warning they took it lightly.

CONCLUSION SUMMARY

 "In the work of soul-winning, great tact and wisdom are needed. The savior never suppressed the truth, but He uttered it always in love. In His intercourse with others, He exercised the greatest tact, and He was kind and thoughtful. He was never rude, never gave unnecessary pain to a sensitive soul. He did not censure Human weakness. He fearlessly denounced hypocrisy, unbelief, and iniquity, but tears were in His voice as He uttered His scathing rebukes. He never made truth cruel, but ever manifested a deep tenderness for Humanity. Every soul was precious in His sight. He bore Himself with divine dignity; yet He bowed with the tenderest compassion and regards every member of the family of God. He saw in all, souls whom it was His mission to save. "

[EGW, Gospel Worker, p. 117]

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EGW = Ellen G White Writings

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