Matt.14:14 – TPT – So when Jesus landed he had a huge crowd waiting for him. Seeing so many people, his heart was deeply moved with compassion toward them, so he healed all the sick who were in the crowd.
Heb.4:15 – Amp – For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities…
Appreciating the humanity of Jesus is a huge part of our Christian faith. Everyone knows that He became a man in order to represent mankind and die for their sin, His humanity includes this and much more. His humanity allows Him to understand the things we face everyday, from pain to temptation because as a man He dealt with all of these things. Because He dealt with pain Himself He understood when He saw people suffering. When Jesus looked at the individuals in the crowd following Him that day Matthew says that Jesus was moved with compassion. It actually brought suffering to Him as He saw the suffering of the people in the crowd that day. Even today, with Jesus seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven, He is still a man and is moved with the things that are hurting us. His response never changes, He heals, delivers, and restores those that come to Him by faith. Here is how the Pillar Commentary describes this moment.
“…Jesus came ashore and found a large group of people instead of the solitude for which he had crossed the lake. Matthew ignores the disciples at this point and concentrates on what Jesus saw and did. He saw large numbers of people, and he had compassion on them; Jesus was deeply moved at the plight of the afflicted and the poor. So on this occasion he healed their sick. Matthew does not qualify this in any way, but leaves the impression that Jesus healed all who were unwell in that crowd. Mark tells us that Jesus taught the people “many things,” and Luke that he spoke about “the kingdom of God,” but Matthew concentrates on the healing.”
The love of God seen in Christ and poured out today through the person of the Holy Spirit is what wins our hearts. Jesus is not some far removed persona that is not involved or caring about our struggles. He is very near and moving in the lives of all of those who come to Him. His love for broken people is impossible to comprehend, He loves each of us and longs to move in our lives.
