Only those who have gone through a traumatic experience are able to identify with others who are hurting, unless gifted with compassion. 

Compassion is more than sympathy or consolation.  It is feeling the pain, sharing the burden and reaching out to do something about the situation.  Compassion is finding an answer, bringing about a solution and easing the hurt the world inflicts upon others.

COMPASSION BRINGS A HEALING AND CURE

The world is full of hurting people, hurting for many and varied reasons - People have suffered hurt in a spiritual, psychological, cultural, racial, economic, social and domestic way.  The world seems to be full of strife, inequality, resentment, fear and frustration everywhere.  Trouble is where you find it however, and if you're looking for it, it's not difficult to make contact.

Many people have been hurting for a long time with chronic unemployment and recently, the world has record numbers of bankruptcies.

It's easy for those who have well paid jobs and secure, comfortable positions to say no one is suffering.  But, the wise old Indian Chief said, "Don't criticize your neighbor until you've walked ten miles in his moccasins."

When the "shoe is on the other foot" and the pink slip lands on your desk, its often a different story.  Yes, the world is full of hurting people.  Not only financially, as the world goes through economic crisis, but many people aret troubled by fears, frustrations, anxieties and perplexities.

The world has changed since the Sept 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.  Many people are living on the edge, "waiting for the other boot to fall."  The world faces uncertainty and this can often cause anxiety, worry and fear to rise up within individuals.

Believers in Christ must not allow the things happening world wide to overtake us, because the Holy Bible says, "Greater is He that is in you, than he (the devil and his evil forces) that is in the world." (1 John 4:6)

St. Paul foretold these events: "This know also that perilous times shall come." (2 Timothy. 3:1)  The word perilous means dangerous, and we are certainly living in a dangerous world.

Jesus warned, "And there shall be upon the earth distress of nations, and perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing there for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth; for the powers of the heaven shall be shaken." (Luke 21:25-26)

The word perplexity means there is 'no way out' of the problem or situation.  And that's how it is in our world today.  Without divine help, there is no way out.  The world is in turmoil but we must look to Jesus Christ for peace and answers.

THE BIBLE HAS THE ANSWERS.  We are admonished to "Cast all your cares upon Him for He careth for you." (1 Peter 5:7)

Lonely people are often afraid to trust anyone again, since they have already been hurt.  Once bitten, twice shy.  So they refuse to open their hearts to anyone for fear of rejection, complications or simply being hurt again.

The sick and diseased people are also hurting.  Many people feel like social outcasts - especially those affected with mental problems, cancer or the world wide epidemic,  AIDS.  These people around the world need our support, comfort and help through the difficult hours, days and months that lie ahead.

WE NEED SUPPORT FROM FAMILY, CHURCH & FRIENDS

The same goes for those people who have been widowed or divorced.  There is healing for the bruised, sorrowing and sick - DIVINE HEALING THAT COMES ONLY THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.

Isaiah foretold the good news of the coming Messiah and Savior 700 years before his sacrificial death for us on Galgotha.

"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him and by His stripes WE ARE HEALED."

"All we like sheep have gone astray but He (God) hath laid upon Him (The Messiah) the iniquities (sins) for us all." (Isaiah 53:5-6)

WHERE WILL YOU SPEND ETERNITY

Some people fear the past, hoping the skeletons will stay hidden, other people fear the present world with its fast moving, ever changing complexities.  Many people fear the future, old age and death.  And what about ETERNITY ?

Blaise Pascal stated, "There is a black space (vacumn) in every human being that only God can fill."  May every person on this earth understand this truth.

When we invite Jesus Christ into our lives by faith, we receive assurance of sins forgiven and the "peace that passeth understanding" floods our hearts and minds. (Philipians 4:7)

Talk about rest, peace, joy, mental and spiritual health.  The Bible says, "The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, bringing forth mire and dirt.   There is no peace saith my God to the wicked." (Isaiah  57:20)

THE GREATEST PROBLEM FACING HUMANITY IS THE PROBLEM OF SIN.   The only remedy for sin is a personal encounter with Jesus Christ.  Why is this ?  First - All are sinners and, secondly, Jesus Christ died for our sins.

"All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Rom. 3:23)  "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

An old gospel song however brings reassurance: "Burdens are lifted at Calvary.... so take your burdens to the Lord and leaven them there."

Jesus Christ pardons our past sins when we come to Him in humility and faith.  He gives us power for the present by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Our Blessed Lord gives us purpose for the future and a promise for eternity.

Jesus Christ said, "Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

And that is exactly what the world full of hurting people needs..  Rest from heartaches, fears, sins and sicknesses.  The guilty, fearful and tormented can find peace and rest through Jesus Christ.  We can't forgive our own sins.  Only God can do that.  We can't solve most of our problems, so we bring Him the mess we have created and pray for forgiveness, help and guidance.

Often sickness and disease strikes us at the most inopportune time and in our weakest and most vulnerable area.  What can we do then?

Our only recourse is to present our needs to God our Heavenly Father, in the Name of Jesus Christ - our Savior, Healer and Redeemer - and He has promised to give us reast.

NO WAY OUT - Increasingly we are seeing, across the world, more and more young people are getting hooked on cigarettes, alcohol and new and more dangerous drugs.  Ecstasy, crystal methadone and crack cocaine are becoming the drugs of choice for unsuspecting teenagers and large numbers are getting hooked.  Many do not recover and often die from overdoses.  

The world is full of broken marriages, alcoholic parents, a corrupt society with all its perversions and a bankrupt church, have all added fuel to the fires as the devil rides high in the saddle, seeking to "steal, kill and destroy." (John 10:10)

Jesus promised, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee - I will be with thee until the end of the world."  (Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5)  The original Greek states, "I will never, no never leave thee.  I will never, no never forsake thee."  YOU CAN'T BEAT THAT.

My friend, believe the words of Jesus Christ and appropriate His promises for yourself.  By faith, receive His answer to your prayers for help.  Remember that, "He is faithful that promised." (Hebrews 10:23)  

That's good enough for me.  I believe that Jesus Christ will answer my prayers and that he is faithful as promised.  I  will patiently wait until my answer comes from Jesus' nail pierced hand.  Drop that heavy load, my friend and let Christ carry if for you.  He's a lot stronger than all of us.

He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him and with His stripes we are healed". (Isaiah 53:5)

According to the prophets, the Messiah would suffer, bleed and die for His people. He would be cut off in death, but rise again in power!  He would be wounded, bruised, chastised and striped in order to purchase our salvation and bring deliverance from sin, sickness and eternal death.

And St. Peter records the glorious results of Christ's terrible sufferings as our substitute. "Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by Whose stripes ye were healed." (1 Peter 2:24)

SEVEN WOUNDS SPELL COMPLETE REDEMPTION!

Jesus Christ received seven specific wounds in His body during His week of suffering and death. The number seven in biblical terms speaks of perfection and completeness.

1) THE CONTUSED WOUND: produced by a sharp instrument."They shall smite the Judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek". (Micah 5:1)St. Matthew wrote, "They smote Him with rods" (Matt. 26:67; John 18:22) (Newberry & Revised) 

"Then they did spit in His face and buffeted Him, and others smote Him with the palms of their hands". (Matt. 26:67)Very definitely, Jesus suffered pain and humiliation as Roman soldiers beat Him about the face with their rods!

Others, including the servants smote Him with their hands. The rod would cut into the flesh, leaving a contused wound.

2) THE LACERATED WOUND: produced by a tearing instrument.

The Romans used the cruel cat-of-nine tails to scourge criminals. On the end of the whip were nine pieces of leather to which were attached sharp ivory or metal balls with protruding nails. As the whip was cracked, it would tear out pieces of the flesh.

Jewish law demanded that not more than 40 lashes be administered, since often the victim would faint or even die during the scourging.

The Romans however, did not need to adhere to Jewish law. As a matter of fact, crucifixion was a Roman mode of execution! And the Romans always scourged a condemned man before crucifying him!

SOME WORLD HISTORIANS AND CHURCH FATHERS BELIEVE THAT JESUS CHRIST MAY HAVE RECEIVED MANY MORE THAN 39 STRIPES. THE MORE PUNISHMENT A PRISONER TOOK ON THE WHIPPING POLE, THE SHORTER WAS THE GUARD DUTY FOR THE ROMAN SOLDIERS AT THE SCENE OF EXECUTION.

Since the Jewish leadership had accused Him of perverting the people, the Romans certainly had no reason to "go easy" on Him! And no doubt the tough Roman soldiers would have been happy to see Jesus squirm and cry out - especially since he had refused to talk to the Governor!

We do know that St. Paul was whipped by the Jews on five separate occasions: "Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one". (2 Cor. 13:24)Paul was not a candidate for crucifixion, by the Romans. He was prosecuted under the jurisdiction of the Jewish hierarchy!

If Jesus received 39 stripes in Pilate's Judgment Hall, that would have inflicted a total of 351 gashes on His lacerated back. If He received more than 39 stripes, the gashes would have been more numerous!

EACH WOUND HELPED TO PURCHASE OUR HEALING: SPIRITUAL, MENTAL AND PHYSICAL!

The Old Testament prophet declared, "The ploughers ploughed upon My back. They made long furrows." (Ps. 129:3) Seven hundred and fifty years earlier, Isaiah had prophesied concerning the Messiah, "I gave My back to the smiters" (Is. 50:6)"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed." (Is. 53:5)

St. Matthew records, "Then Pilate therefore took Jesus and scourged Him" (Matt. 27:20; John 19:1)Prisoners who were scourged usually lost a lot of blood and sometimes fainted. Jesus suffered the agonizing and brutal scourging for us!

3) THE PENETRATING WOUND: a deep wound caused by a sharp, pointed instrument.

The crown of thorns that was pressed upon the head of Jesus caused such wounds. The Jerusalem thorn, known as the Arabian Nebulae, was 4 inches long and as sharp as a needle.

The cruel diadem containing over 100 spiculets, was driven into His head with blows from the rod.

The scriptures record, "And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon His head, and a reed in His right hand: and they bowed the knee before Him, and mocked Him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!" (Matt. 27:29)

"Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!" (John 19:5)

THORNS SPEAK OF ORIGINAL CURSE

JESUS TOOK THE CURSE FOR US. He bore the penalty for our sins, transgressions, sicknesses, diseases and pains!

St. Paul writes, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

“That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:13-14)

In the book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 28, Moses enumerates the blessings of keeping covenant with God. He also lists the curses! The curses include sickness, disease, insanity, torments, plagues, pestilence, famine and war!

The Apostle to the Gentiles states unequivocally that, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law”. So we are free!

The Roman soldiers tried to drive Jesus insane by beating that crown of sharp Arabian Nebulae into His head. But He didn't lose His sanity but rather through this horrible experience purchased our peace and tranquility."

And having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself." (Colossians 1:20)Because of the penetrating wounds He bore for us, WE HAVE PEACE!

4) THE PERFORATING WOUND: From the Latin word; "to pierce through".

The prophet Zechariah also foretold of the Messiah's death by crucifixion. "And one shall say unto Him, What are these wounds in Thine hands? Then shall He answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of My friends". (Zach 13:6)

By the time Jesus was born, the Romans had conquered Palestine and crucifixion had become the mode of execution. The N.T. records: "And when they were come... to Calvary, there they crucified Jesus". (Luke 23:33; John 19:16-18)

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD

Jesus Christ suffered the torments, agony, pain and death of the most horrible of all deaths - The Death of Crucifixion! He suffered for us. He bled for us. He died for us! And He arose again from the dead, for us!

5) THE INCISED WOUND: a cut produced by a sharp edged instrument.

"But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith came there out blood and water" (John 19:34)

As the Sabbath was approaching the soldiers helped speed up the expiration of the victims by smashing their thigh bones, thus allowing asphyxiation. When the Roman soldier came to Jesus, he noticed that He was already dead. The soldier then went on to the thief on Jesus' other side and with his large axe, smashed the femur bone (thigh bone) causing a quicker death.

In order to verify Jesus' death, the soldier then plunged his spear into the left side of Jesus!

This fulfilled the scripture, "They shall look upon Him Whom they have pierced". (Zech. 12:10) So large was the wound that after the resurrection, Thomas “the doubter” was invited to thrust his hand into that wound.

"Then saith He to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold My hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not faithless, but believing." (John 20:27)

St. John was standing near the cross and noticed blood and water coming out of His side. THE PERICARDIUM IS A CLOSED SAC ENCASING THE HEART, LUBRICATED BY A SMALL AMOUNT OF FLUID TO FACILITATE THE MOTION OF THE HEART.

Mallory & Wright's pathological technique answers the question, "How could John have seen such a small amount of water flow out of the wound? The normal amount (of pericardial fluid) is about a teaspoon, but it may be increased to 100 c.c. (24 teaspoonfuls) where death agony is prolonged"

.ANOTHER MIRACLE WAS THAT CONTRARY TO NATURE, BLOOD FLOWED FROM A DEAD MAN, PROVING THAT THE BLOOD OF JESUS DID NOT DIE BUT IS EFFICACIOUS EVEN TODAY!

"There is a fountain filled with blood,
Drawn from Emmanuel's veins,
And sinners plunge beneath the flood,
Lose all their guilty stains."

Medical science teaches that, "Blood in a cadaver readily separates into clear serum and red blood cells, thus certifying that the person is clinically dead.

"It could be that both of these things were happening at once. Either way, it proves that the death of Jesus was a reality and that there is life through His precious blood! The Bible says, "Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins". (Leviticus 17:11,14) "It is the blood that maketh atonement for the soul." (Hebrew 9:22)  "And the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sins." (1 John 1:7)

THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST, SHED FOR US ALL ON GOLGOTHA, HAS PURCHASED OUR SALVATION!

(II) WE RECEIVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD!"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

"But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:" (1 Peter 1:18-19)"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood." (Acts 20:28)

(III) WE RECEIVE CLEANSING FROM SIN THROUGH HIS BLOOD!

"But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, And the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sins.” (1 John 1:7)

(IV) WE ARE LOOSED FROM OUR SINS BY HIS BLOOD!

"And from Jesus Christ, Who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood." (Rev. 1:5)

(V) WE ARE JUSTIFIED THROUGH HIS BLOOD!

"Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." (Rom. 5:9)"

Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare the righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;" (Rom. 3:24-25)

(VI) WE RECEIVE PEACE THROUGH HIS BLOOD!

"And having made peace through the death of His cross, by Him to receive all things unto himself;" (Col. 1:20)

(VII) WE RECEIVE ACCESS TO THE FATHER THROUGH HIS BLOOD!

"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us through the veil, that is to say, His flesh;" (Heb. 10:19-20)

(VIII) WE RECEIVE DIVINE HEALING THROUGH HIS BLOOD!

"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed." (Is. 53:5)

"Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by Whose stripes ye were healed." (1 Pet. 2:24)

(IX) WE RECEIVE VICTORY OVER THE DEVIL THROUGH HIS BLOOD!

"And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony." (Rev. 12:11)

(X) WE ARE SANCTIFIED THROUGH HIS BLOOD!

"Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify His people with His own blood, suffered without the gate." (Heb. 13:12)

(XI) WE RECEIVE A CLEAR (PURGED) CONSCIENCE THROUGH HIS BLOOD!

"How much more shall the blood of Christ, Who through the Eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience (mind) from dead works, to serve the Living God?" (Heb. 9:14)

(XII) WE RECEIVE ETERNAL GLORY THROUGH HIS BLOOD!

"These are they which come out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them…"For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of water: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." (Rev. 7:14-17)

6) WOUNDS BY MUTILATION: the plucking out of His beard

"I gave My cheeks to them that plucked out the hair" (Isaiah 50:6)

Not only did they slap and spit upon His face but they yanked out His beard causing the wounds of mutilation.

Can you imagine the awful pain, as cruel Roman soldiers pulled out His beard! 

The blood flowed down upon Christ's chest as cruel tormentors mutilated His face by tearing out handfuls of His beard.

He did it for us, because by "His Sore" (original Hebrew) we are healed! He was "one sore" from head to toe, by the time He had undergone the full mistreatment which the Roman soldiers heaped upon Him! He suffered more than any man and He did it all for us - to purchase our salvation!

7) WOUNDS BY FALLING: They laid the rugged cross upon His lacerated, bleeding back and forced Jesus to carry His own cross, as was the custom for condemned criminals. Due to loss of blood because of the scourging, He was unable to do so.

As He stumbled and fell, His body received more bruises and sores, and He suffered more pain, for us!

World historians claim, that after His striping in Pilate's Judgment Hall, Jesus was subjected to a heavy wooden cross laid upon His raw, bleeding back.

Apparently, the cross bar was tied to His wrists and the stock to His left ankle. When He stumbled and fell, He had no way to protect Himself, so His body was further bruised and battered!

And Roman soldiers then forced a stranger, Simon of Cyrene to bear His cross up Calvary's hill.

"And He bearing His cross went forth to the place of a skull..." (John 19:17) "And as they led Him away they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus" (Luke 23:26) (Mark 15:21)

Apparently that event caused such an impact upon the Cyrenian that he became a convert to Christ. And it appears that his two sons also entered the Ministry and preached the gospel of Christ after His resurrection.

CHRIST WAS WOUNDED FROM HEAD TO FOOT WITH SEVEN WOUNDS IN ORDER TO BRING US HEALING!

And St. Matthew stated, “When the even was come, they brought unto Him many that were possessed with devils: and He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all that were sick:“

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Easias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.” (Matthew 8:16-17)It is no wonder, St. Thomas, upon his encounter with the risen Christ declared, "My Lord and my God". (Jn.20:28)MAY THE RISEN CHRIST BLESS AND HEAL YOU AS YOU APPROPRIATE HIS PROMISES FOR YOURSELF!