Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Mark 6:34 And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.
COMPASSIONATE JUSTIFICATION
In the political realm there is something known as compassionate conservatism. This political philosophy might be defined as combining compassionate ideas (like lending the downtrodden a hand) and conservative ideas (such as holding someone accountable).
While the political ideas can be debated, we can be sure that the Lord Jesus was one who brought about compassionate justification.
In this 34th verse of Mark chapter six, Jesus comes out to a large crowd of people and was moved with compassion for them. He didn't give rest from their jobs. True, He did amazingly feed these five thousand with just a few loaves and fishes and give them the food that their bodies craved, but He wouldn't be around every day to do a miracle for their supper table. He gave them real peace and rest that lasts for eternity.
That's what He gives you too. He does this by giving you His credit for your lack of motivation and obedience. God commands that you love your neighbor as yourself. Who wants to do that? We take care of number one first and foremost, especially when we are tired and feel like we deserve a rest.
Where we fail, Christ Jesus gives us the credit for doing it right in the eyes of God. We are justified by our Savior. When we stand before God, we are given credit for loving others as we should. Standing before God in this light, we have real peace, since we are not doomed for an eternal death in hell. We will live forever, and can rest easy, knowing this will come true, based on the sure merits of Christ our Lord.
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).
