The Healing Compassion of Jesus - The Crosswalk Devotional - July 27

The Healing Compassion of Jesus
By Keri Eichberger

Bible Reading:
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. - Matthew 9:36

I’ve been suffering for some time now with a specific physical pain I’m really ready to move on from. But who am I kidding, if I think about it, and reflect back far enough, there’s always been something I’ve been actively suffering through. Like when I was in my teen years and experienced a bad breakup that left deep, lingering emotional pain for half a decade, or when I started having kids and began to live through a never-ending roller coaster of mentally strenuous stress and struggle. And the sad news for us all is that suffering and pain will continue to be a part of our lives until the good Lord calls us home. And I don’t know about you, but the longevity of this truth leaves me in constant longing for compassion and comfort. I deeply desire for someone to see me, see my hurt, and care enough to help or ease the difficulty and discomfort. 

I would ask if you feel the hurts of life, too, but I know you do. We all do. The question is, what are you currently suffering through and how are you handling it? Has your suffering been long and seemingly without hope? Or have you been living through yoyo bursts of trials since before you can remember? Let me say, I’m so sorry. I feel your pain. It’s real, and you’re not alone. You’re not alone because we’ve all been there. Though the truth is, our struggles can still feel isolating and like not one really gets it. Because though we all have our hard stuff, we can’t possibly be feeling or experiencing the exact emotions. We are unique souls with unique situations. So, yes, at times it’s hard to convince ourselves we’ll ever find the compassion we’re sure would soothe our souls.

But can I remind you—though no one will completely get it, and thus it will seem like no one can completely comfort us—God sees you. And you may believe this. You may know that God genuinely sees you, but you may not feel like he cares enough to do anything about it based on the seeming lack of movement in a more favorable direction. In this case, I want to reassure us both that he sees, but he also cares. He has compassion on you as you walk through each challenge and suffer through every hurt and heartache. Matthew 9:36 says, When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. This is the Lord Jesus. He is the shepherd seeing his hurting, helpless sheep, and having compassion on them. And you are the sheep, and he is your shepherd.  

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Consider what you have been suffering through lately. And remember, for each moment you or I feel helpless, hopeless, heartbroken, or even harassed, this is when the Lord swells with compassion. Your compassionate caretaker is constantly watching over you, loving you, and caring deeply for you like a shepherd tending to his beloved sheep. I pray you feel this. Right now and forever, he is with you, and he is hurting with you. But he is always holding you with sufficient compassion. The ever-present, all-encompassing compassion of Jesus that, when acknowledged and accepted, will help and heal every hurting heart.

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/PeteWill 

Keri Eichberger is a Jesus-loving Kentucky girl. She is married to her best friend, Mike, and has a full house of five kids. After years of writing for an online audience, Keri became ordained through Southeast Christian Church, giving her life to full-time ministry. She is the author of Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes, and has a passion for sharing faith-filled encouragement through devotional writing. Connect with Keri at KeriEichberger.com or Instagram.

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Listen to the Jesus Calling Podcast!

Welcome to this special bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, inspired by the topical themes from Sarah Young’s seasonal prayer devotional Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season. Today, we are featuring guests who speak to themes that all of us might be experiencing in this season of winter. As the days grow shorter and the night longer, we are offered a rare gift: permission to stop. This season can be a challenging time for many, and if you are struggling with low spirits, please know you are not alone, and help is available. This episode is an opportunity to honor your weariness, to resist the urge to rush, and to discover the profound healing that happens when we simply let ourselves rest in the stillness. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow Jesus Calling on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!