One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28-31

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.‘ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28-31

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”  “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28-31

Exodus 31:13:

“Say to the Israelites, ‘You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy. Here we see the name of God – Jehovah Mkaddesh presented. I am the Lord, who makes you holy.

English breakdown of Compassion = “to suffer together”

The Hebrew word is Rakhum

Closely related Rekhem – the word for womb.

Around 80% of the usage of Rakhum in the Old Testament is describing God’s compassion towards humanity.

Dimension #1: Rakhum compassion is a deep emotional movement toward someone.

Bible references:

1 Kings 3:16-28 (only display vs. 26)

Nehemiah 9:27-28

Psalm 103: 8, 13-14

Isaiah 49: 15-16

Two takeaways:

Humanity – even the People of God – are vulnerable, broken, make mistakes and turn away/betray God.Yahweh – the Creator – is ALWAYS positioned toward humanity with compassion because of His character.

Dimension #2: Rakhum compassion is action that is launched from this deep emotional movement.

Compassion is connected to two main actions:

ForgivenessDeliverance

Jesus is God’s biggest revelation of His compassion in its fullness

Isaiah 53: 4-12 (display vs 4-5 only)

Luke 23:34

Matt. 9:36

Matt. 20:34

Luke 7:13

Jesus IS the embodiment of the compassion of God AND He embodies that compassion for us.

Ephesians 3:14-19

TEXT:   Genesis 1:1

I.  GOD IS THE CREATOR

II.  GOD CREATED US

III.  GOD REDEEMED CREATION

TEXT: Luke 2:10-11, 21OUTLINE:A Baby In A Manger Changes Everything! – My sins are forgiven and forgotten! – No shame or guilt to carry! – I am in relationship to God – I am in Christ!

TEXT: Luke 2:4-20OUTLINE: 1 – Confirmation – Jesus is the Good Shepherd. 2 – Common Ground – God despises our prejudice and pride. 3 – Compassion – He longs to reach the unreachable.

Text: Ephesians 4:11-16; 5:1-2Outline: 1. Live in Love! 2. Live in Light! 3. Live in Wisdom!