Scripture highlights the compassion, care and concern of Jesus Christ, the coming Messiah. In Amos 9:13 we read He is returning to end famine and hunger. “‘Behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord, ‘When the ploughman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him who sows seed; the mountains shall drip with sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it.‘”
Countless people around the world go to bed every night hungry and thirsty, often because of circumstances caused by other human beings, such as power struggles and war. We are told when Christ returns to this earth He will be “a refuge for the oppressed“(Psalms 9:9).
His coming will guarantee the unavoidable cruelty associated with warfare will no longer exist. Under His reign mankind “shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore” (Micah 4:3-4). The Bible promises peace will flow “like a river” (Isaiah 66:12).
Jesus Christ also promises His return will assure the safety and protection of our children, “Great shall be the peace of your children” (Isaiah 54:13). Abductions, kidnappings and molestations will no longer exist. Families and young children will be able to camp “safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods” He will even tame the wild beasts (verse 25) so that safety and security will be commonplace in Christ’s Kingdom (Ezekiel 34:25-27).
Scripture shows Jesus Christ will show compassion to prisoners “to bring out prisoners from the prison,” and “those who sit in darkness from the prison house” (Isaiah 42:7) He will “proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound” (Isaiah 61:1).
The world of today is characterised by decisions too often based on prejudice, racism, sexism and hearsay—as in the story of Joseph (see Genesis 39:19-23). This will not happen in Christ’s Kingdom. “He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, nor decide by the hearing of His ears; but with righteousness He shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth” (Isaiah 11:3-4).
Christ’s compassionate rule will start in Jerusalem (Isaiah 66:10, 13) before spreading to all nations of the earth (verse 18). Jesus Christ is described as the gentle Shepherd who gathers “the lambs with His arm,” and who will “carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young” (Isaiah 40:11).
The day is coming when all the cares of the poor and needy will at last be addressed. When we pray to God “Your kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10), we can rejoice in the knowledge of the coming compassionate and caring rule of Jesus Christ!
