Compassion Not Contempt

“When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick.   When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and the hour is already late so send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 

But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away, you give them something to eat!”  They said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” 

And He said, “Bring them here to Me.”  Ordering the people to sit down on the grass,  He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds, and they all ate and were satisfied.

They picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve full baskets.  There were about five thousand men who ate besides the women and children.”  Matthew 14:14-21

Jesus felt compassion for people.  He did not say, “All of you have money, go buy something.”  He fed all the people.

We need to remember this when we slip into the rut of questioning the rights of people who use food stamps or visit food pantries to get free food. 

We should not feel contempt for these people, we should feel compassion for them.