Young Adults' Group

The Affection Of Jesus Christ

by Pastor Mark
July 13, 2017

The example of the Lord Jesus and His affection for the people

For the Apostle Paul, the Lord Jesus was a great example and influence on his life. Many of the principles that he sought to live by where taught or exemplified by the Lord.

This was seen in the way in which Paul loved the Philippian brethren. They were most dear to him. He had them in his heart and longed for them with the affection of the Lord Jesus, “For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.” (Phil 1:8) The word “affection” in Greek is “splagchnon” which means “the love from the inner most bowels”. This was a deep kind of love that Paul learnt from the Lord Jesus. Let us consider how the Lord Jesus expressed this love?

The encounter with a leper

“Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” (Mark 1:40)

A leper came to look for the Lord Jesus and sought Him for healing. How should we understand a leper?

1. He was shunned by all because of his disease
2. Society would not accept him in any way
3. He probably lived alone
4. Experiencing poverty and being ostracised
5. No hope for the future

When he met with the Lord Jesus, the leper knelt before Him. He knew who the Lord was and humbled himself before Him. He had faith that the Lord would be able to heal him but  yet he submitted himself to the Lord’s will

The affection of the Lord Jesus for the leper

“Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” (Mark 1:41)

The phrase “moved with compassion” in Greek is “splagchnizomai” which is the verbal form of “splagchnon”. Jesus was deeply moved from within that caused Him to do the following  special things.

1. He touched the leper

The leper had not been touched by another human being for a long time due to his disease. The Lord showed his deep affection by touching him even though there were laws that prevented such actions. The Lord wanted the leper to know how much He cared for him.

2. He cleansed the leper

The Lord replied the leper that He was willing and sought to totally cleanse him. The Lord demonstrated great power in cleansing the leper and healing him of his disease. (Mark 1:42)

Our affections must drive us to action

The affections of the Lord Jesus drove Him to act and to cleanse the leper. Let us be challenged to cultivate deep affections as the Lord Jesus did. Let be challenged to be moved by our affections to care for those who are in need. Let us seek to care with the affection of the Lord Jesus.

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