Show Compassion - Jesus

One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases. Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

Luke 9:1-2

Lifestyle evangelism promotes the idea that many nonbelievers are more receptive to the message of salvation through Jesus Christ if they first see believers living good lives. Critics believe that such evangelism leans too much on demonstrating the faith and not enough on speaking about it.

During his earthly ministry, Jesus sent his twelve apostles to cast out demons and heal the sick, but his ministry didn’t stop there. Jesus also commanded these men to tell people about the Kingdom of God. He didn’t want them to just show people the good news of salvation; they were to tell them about it as well.

These men had seen a close, personal example of One who struck a perfect balance between good works and effective words. Jesus fed the hungry, healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, and offered tenderness and compassion to everyone in need. He also spoke the message that fueled his acts of compassion, even when those words alienated some in the crowd.

The apostles never forgot the example Jesus set for them. After he returned to heaven, they carried on his work of healing the sick and lame, casting out demons, and raising the dead, but they also preached the message of eternal life through faith in the resurrected Jesus Christ.

That’s the same message people today need to both see and hear!

What acts of compassion and practical help do the people around you most need? What specific good news do they most need to hear from your lips? Take some time to pray about this, asking God to lay on your heart both what you are to do and say and who stands in most need of your God-empowered words and deeds.