Compassion in Action

Matthew 15:29–39 KJV 1900

And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there. And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them: Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel. Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children. And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.

Message Title: “Compassion in Action”

Introduction:

Have you ever been in a situation where you wanted to help someone, but you weren’t sure where to start? Maybe you’ve seen a friend struggling, a family member in need, or even a stranger who looked like they were carrying a heavy burden.

It’s like standing in the heart of a wildfire here in California, where the air is thick with smoke, the heat presses in, and the flames seem unstoppable. You see the destruction—the homes crumbling, the forests burning, the lives being torn apart—and your heart aches to help. But for a moment, you feel small, unsure where to even begin against something so massive.

Then you see the firefighters. They don’t freeze or hesitate. They don’t try to put out the entire wildfire all at once. They run toward the flames, starting where they can—digging firebreaks, dousing hotspots, saving one family’s home, one tree, one life at a time. Their courage sparks hope, showing that even in the face of overwhelming need, action is always possible.

In Matthew 15:29-39, Jesus is like that. He steps into the overwhelming hurt of the crowd—not with hesitation, but with a heart ablaze with compassion. He doesn’t just see the pain; He moves toward it, healing the sick and feeding the hungry. He reminds us that we don’t need to solve everything to make a difference. Like the firefighters, we start with what’s in front of us—meeting one need, sharing one kindness, and watching God use it to bring hope and restoration.

Main Idea:

Jesus demonstrates compassion for both the physical and spiritual needs of people. He meets them where they are, providing healing and sustenance.

Transition into first sermon movement: Today we are going to look at how Jesus impacted His community with compassion and action, and how we can reflect this even though we do not have His power or His resources.

Jesus Heals Those in Need

(vs. 29-31)

When I was 12, I watched someone resuscitate a friend at the pool. I remember the panic in the air—the lifeless body pulled from the water, the crowd frozen in fear, unsure of what to do. Then, one person stepped forward. They didn’t hesitate. They didn’t overthink it. They knelt down and began CPR. Breath by breath, chest compression by chest compression, they brought life back where there was none. That moment stuck with me—the power of stepping in when everyone else freezes.

Now imagine Jesus climbing that mountainside, surrounded by the broken and desperate. It wasn’t a polished scene. The blind fumbled forward, the lame were carried, and the mute could only hope to be noticed. Every person was gasping for hope like a drowning man gasps for air. And Jesus didn’t freeze. He stepped forward, one act of healing at a time, bringing life where there was only pain.

What about us? When someone around us is struggling—your child in tears, a co-worker whispering about addiction, or a stranger baring their burden—will we freeze? Or will we step forward, lean in, and offer the breath of hope they desperately need? Jesus shows us what it looks like to be that kind of person, the one who doesn’t walk away but brings healing and love right where it’s needed most.

Here’s what Jesus does: He doesn’t ignore them. He doesn’t tell them to handle it on their own. He heals them, every single one. He steps into their pain with compassion, power, and love. And the result? The crowd is amazed, and they glorify the God of Israel.

Think about this: the crowd didn’t wait for Jesus to come to them. They brought their brokenness to Him. They climbed a mountain to get to the One they believed could heal them. And all Jesus asks of you today is to bring your faith. Believe He can save you. Believe He will sustain you. And believe He can use you to bring hope and healing to others.

Application:

Jesus still sees your brokenness. Whether it’s physical, emotional, or spiritual, He cares about your needs. And as His followers, we’re called to reflect that same compassion—to open our eyes to the people around us who are hurting and step in with love.

So, who in your life needs healing, hope, or encouragement? What’s one step you can take to bring them closer to the love of Jesus? Remember, He uses ordinary people like you to do extraordinary things.

Jesus Feeds the Hungry

(vs. 32-39)

When I was in Trade School, there was a time I went without food—not because I didn’t need it, but because I was too proud to ask. I felt the ache of hunger in my body, but the ache of my pride was louder. I convinced myself I’d figure it out on my own, even as I sat surrounded by people who probably would’ve helped if I’d just said something. That pride kept me stuck, refusing to let anyone meet the need I so obviously had.

Now picture the crowd with Jesus. For three days, they stayed with Him, soaking in His words, but hunger began to gnaw at them. Jesus could’ve sent them away; after all, He’d already healed their sick. But He wasn’t finished. He looked at their need—not just their spiritual hunger, but their physical hunger too—and He refused to let them go without.

When the disciples saw only limitations—seven loaves and a few fish—Jesus saw opportunity. He didn’t ignore what they had, small as it was. Instead, He blessed it, multiplied it, and turned it into a feast that satisfied thousands.

This miracle is a reminder of who Jesus is. He’s not just concerned about your soul—He cares about your stomach, your struggles, your pride, your pain. He sees the places you’re lacking, even the ones you’re too proud to admit. And He wants to meet you there, not with judgment, but with abundance. So maybe the question isn’t just, “What do I need?” but, “Am I willing to let Jesus meet my need, no matter how small or big it seems?”

Application:

What’s in your hands? Maybe it feels like it’s not enough—your time, your energy, your resources. But here’s the truth: when you give it to Jesus, it becomes more than enough. He can take what you have and use it to meet needs, heal hurts, and bring hope in ways you never thought possible.

So, what’s your “seven loaves and a few fish”? Are you willing to place it in Jesus’ hands and trust Him to do the rest?

Reflecting Jesus’ Compassion

The beauty of this story is how Jesus models compassion in a way that changes everything. He doesn’t just notice the crowd; He sees their needs, their pain, their hunger—and He moves toward them with love and provision. He doesn’t hold back. He steps into their brokenness and shows them that they matter.

It’s like driving down the freeway and seeing a car broken down on the shoulder. Most people glance over, feel a moment of pity, and keep going—telling themselves someone else will stop. But then there’s that one person who pulls over. They don’t just notice the stranded driver; they see the frustration on their face, the fear in their eyes, and they step in to help. Maybe it’s offering a phone to call a tow truck, jumping a dead battery, or simply being present in a tough moment. That one act of kindness says, “You’re not alone. You matter.”

Jesus was like that. He didn’t just glance at the crowds and feel pity. He saw them—their hunger, their pain, their need—and He stopped. He stepped into their brokenness and did something about it.

As His followers, we’re called to pull over for the broken-down lives around us. Whether it’s someone drowning in loneliness, struggling to make ends meet, or carrying emotional burdens they can’t even talk about, we’re called to see them—not just with our eyes, but with our hearts—and respond with love in action. The question is, will we keep driving by? Or will we stop and let God use us to show His love?

As His followers, we’re called to do the same. Jesus didn’t just come to heal and feed people 2,000 years ago. He came to show us what love in action looks like today. The question is, will we step up? Will we see the needs around us and respond the way Jesus did?

Take a moment to reflect:

• Who in your life is struggling with physical or spiritual hunger? Maybe it’s the single mom who’s juggling too much, the co-worker who feels invisible, or the friend who’s walking through a season of doubt.

• What has God given you—your time, your talents, your resources—that you can use to reflect Jesus’ compassion?

Here’s the challenge: don’t wait. Don’t let fear or doubt hold you back. Take what’s in your hands, no matter how small it feels, and trust God to multiply it. When you step out in faith, you might just be the miracle someone else has been praying for. Looking for your next step at Faithway? Join a community group, become a member, join a ministry team.

Compassion isn’t just an idea—it’s a call to action. Let’s answer it.

Closing Challenge:

This week, don’t just see the needs around you—respond to them. Whether it’s a coworker going through a tough time, a neighbor who needs help, or someone in your family who feels unseen, step in with the same compassion Jesus shows.

And as you do, remember: Jesus doesn’t just meet needs—He transforms lives. And when we act with His love, we become part of that transformation.

Prayer:

“Jesus, thank You for meeting us in our brokenness and providing for our needs. Help us to see the people around us through Your eyes. Give us the courage to step into their lives with compassion and the faith to trust You with what we have. Use us to make a difference for Your glory. Amen.”