The color red has been used to represent a warning or an intensity of feelings and beliefs—for road signs, it warns or commands a stop; politically, the color red may represent the radical left or the conservative right; with the Philippine flag, when the red is turned up, it means war; culturally, the Chinese use red for New Year or birthday celebrations, even for their ampao (hongbao); commercially, Christmas and Valentines Day calls for red; in retail stores, red ignites the souls of shopaholics as it signals a SALE!
But to the Christians, red connotes the Blood of Christ. You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.1 For this you have been called because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.2
When. . . he saw a great crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. With five loaves and the two fish, Jesus fed the five thousand.3 Again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples and said, “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me, now three days and have nothing to eat.” With seven loaves Jesus fed the four thousand.4
The religious came and began to argue with him, seeking a sign from heaven to test him; their disbelief was their stumbling. And he left them.5 Thus, we are warned to guard our hearts for from it flow the springs of life.6 In contrast to the lowly, they brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him.7
Compassion is a compelling force. It gives us the courage to do right. During dark times who else is expected to shed light? Interestingly, there is a historical account that it was Jehoiada, a priest, who took courage and entered into a covenant with the leaders and gathered the Levites throughout Judah, and the fathers of Israel to proclaim the king’s son and let him reign. Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and all the people and the king that they should be the LORD’s people. They acted on reforms. Jehoiada took the captains, the nobles, the governors and they set the king on the royal throne.8
Those who are called by God have a moral obligation to engage their community and teach them in the ways of the LORD. We are to go and make disciples.9
Dr. Jun Escosar recalls that Pastor Steve Murrell would remind them regularly, “Don’t be satisfied with small successes. As long as there is one person on your campus or in your city who has never experienced the grace of God in Jesus Christ, your mission is not complete.”10
Yes, the Blood of Christ compels us.
Notes:
1. 1 Corinthians 6: 19b-20
2. 1 Peter 2:21
3. Mark 6:30-44
4. Mark 8:1-10; 14-21
5. Mark 8:11-13
6. Proverbs 4:23
7. Mark 8:22-25
8. 2 Chronicles 23:1-21
9. Matthew 28:18-20
10. Jun Escosar, A Bible and A Passport—Obeying God’s Call to Make Disciples in Every Nation
