MORNING MANNA 4-22-23
COMPASSION
“And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him. And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.” Mk.6:33-34
Several years ago I read this story from a preacher I didn’t know: “I was once conducting a session with high school teenagers. I told them that they could ask me any question on any subject, and I would try and answer it. Their questions were typical of ones I had received in similar sessions scores of times before. As the session drew to a close, one girl toward the back, who had not said anything, raised her hand. I nodded, and she said, ‘The Bible says God loves everybody. Then it says that God sends people to Hell. How can a loving God do that?’
“I gave her my answer, and she came back to me with arguments. I answered her arguments, and she answered my answers. The conversation quickly degenerated into an argument. I did not convince her, nor did she convince me. After a few more questions I dismissed the session. After the session I approached her and said, ‘I owe you an apology. I really should not have allowed our discussion to become so argumentative.’ Then I asked, ‘May I share something with you?’ She said, ‘Yes.’ So I took her through a basic presentation of the Gospel. When I got to Romans 3:23 and suggested that all of us were sinners she began to cry. It was then that this high school senior admitted she had been living in sin and was going through a difficult time. The one thing she needed was forgiveness. When I finished the presentation of the Gospel, she trusted Christ.”
That girl’s argumentative attitude was the result of a broken heart and lack of understanding. Thankfully the preacher demonstrated compassion and led her to Christ! May God help us to do the same as we deal with others whom we hope to win to Christ. Someone might seem impossible to reach, but God can break down the barriers if we speak the truth in love without giving up.We can’t win everyone but we can win someone. Don’t give up.
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
Humble, Tx.
