Pick five words that in your mind would best describe a “man’s man.” Are any of those five words, compassionate? (The word compassion in English has one basic meaning: to have the same feeling for or with another. In the OT its cognates are words like mercy, grace, lovingkindness, even justice.) I was impressed again this past week with how that word both describes our Lord and depicts his incarnational ministry. In fact, Jesus demonstrates compassion at two opposite spectrums. He does it with a group and individually. The more familiar instance is in Matthew 9, And seeing the multitudes, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd. Much could be said about the content of this verse, addressing both the need of the people and the response of our Lord to their need. But look at the way Matthew describes Jesus response to their need, “…seeing the multitudes, He felt compassion.” As for the other end of the spectrum, consider Jesus’ encounter with a leprous man. Mark tells us, And moved with compassion, He stretched out His hand and touched him… Once again, note Marks depiction of Jesus, “And moved with compassion…” In each case, there is an emotional response on Jesus’ part to the need of another. He “felt” and was “moved” with compassion. Jesus was not then and is not now an uncaring Savior/Friend. His heart is moved and His spirit is touched by our needs. He is not a “sterile” Savior; He is a sensitive Savior. He feels the needs of His children and moves with compassion to respond to their needs. Open your heart to His and let Him care for you in a personal and compassionate manner. It’s His nature!