Alistair Begg
February 7, 2001
9:30 am
Jesus: An Example of Compassion
Message Summary
Alistair Begg taught on the essence of Christ’s ministry here on earth: His compassion and His mercy.
Two incidents in Luke 11:7-20 show Christ's compassion and mercy. First, in verses 1-10, a Centurion with deep humility and steadfast faith asks Jesus to heal his sick servant. The man recognizes that he is under authority, even though he holds a high position of leadership. Begg notes that no one in a position of authority will ever be truly effective unless he recognizes that he, too, must be in submission to someone above him. Christ honored the Centurion’s attitude and healed his servant, even though the man was a Gentile. God does not make distinctions when it came to reaching out with compassion.
In verses 11-20 the scene changes to that of a funeral procession. We see a widow mourning the loss of her son. Her husband was already dead; now her last cord of security is snapped in two with the death of this precious son. This time, no one asks Jesus to do anything; He is simply a passerby. But He observes the pain of the widow, and His heart goes out to her. He crosses all boundaries, speaks to the dead son, and the young man is given life.
Begg makes an important point. Where in the world would we be if the only time God intervened in our lives was when we asked Him to? Just as He healed physically in the story of the widow and her son, He heals spiritually today. He sees our pain and reaches out to us, wipes away our tears, and restores us.
Begg closed by saying that Jesus Christ hears the cry of the sorrowful and is our loving Comforter. That which He demonstrated in this story for the widow, He will one day complete in the fullest sense for all His people.
Student Response
I came away from this message feeling God’s arms wrapped tightly around me. When I ask with faith and humility, He is going to listen. When I don’t even think to ask, He is still there, His heart reaching out and His hand working in spite of me. Am I willing to set aside my own agenda and my pride in order to reach out and reflect the compassion of Christ unto others, even to those who may not seem deserving, or who aren’t looking for it? As Begg said in closing, “May God give to us hearts of compassion.” Amen.
—Leah Thayer, Junior, Communications major