Why was the Lord Jesus “moved with compassion” over this... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

When Jesus went out he saw a great multitude; and he was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. When it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food. But Jesus said to them, They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.
Matthew 14:14-16.

Why was the Lord Jesus "moved with compassion" over this crowd? Weren't they all more or less wicked sinners? Weren't many of their problems caused by their failure to lead their lives with God? Shouldn't they have expected Him to condemn them rather than sympathise with them?

Jesus Christ came to "seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). So He received sinners and ate with them; He welcomed those who were unhappy, and touched lepers to heal them. These were not formal encounters: there was heartfelt love and compassion.

In today's verses the disciples wanted to dismiss the crowd, while the Lord Himself was healing the weak and sick. The disciples couldn't imagine how those innumerable people could be fed in that lonely spot. Yet their Master, Christ, intended to increase five loaves and two fishes, so that 5,000 men could be satisfied. Then Jesus told them to give everyone something to eat; they didn't need to go away. He took the little they had, and they distributed it.

With the same compassion Jesus Christ invites people today to come to Him. "You, o Lord, are a God, full of compassion and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth" (Psalm 86:15). Can anyone reject such love?

Today's reading: Daniel 5:1-12 · Psalms 41:10-13