Foreknowledge of Christ

The foreknowledge of Christ is a profound aspect of His divine nature, reflecting His omniscience and eternal existence. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus demonstrates an awareness of future events, the hearts of individuals, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. This foreknowledge is not merely predictive but is rooted in His divine identity as the Son of God.

One of the clearest examples of Christ's foreknowledge is found in His prediction of His own suffering, death, and resurrection. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus explicitly tells His disciples, "From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life" (Matthew 16:21). This foretelling underscores His awareness of the divine plan and His willing participation in it.

Moreover, Christ's foreknowledge extends to the details of His betrayal. In John 13:21, Jesus reveals, "Truly, truly, I tell you, one of you will betray Me." His knowledge of Judas Iscariot's impending betrayal highlights His understanding of human hearts and the fulfillment of Scripture.

Christ's foreknowledge is also evident in His awareness of future events concerning His followers and the world. In Matthew 24, Jesus provides a detailed account of the signs of the end times, demonstrating His comprehensive understanding of future history and His role in it.

Compassion of Christ

The compassion of Christ is a central theme in the Gospels, illustrating His deep love and mercy towards humanity. This compassion is not merely an emotional response but is consistently manifested in His actions and teachings.

Throughout His ministry, Jesus is moved by compassion to heal the sick, feed the hungry, and comfort the sorrowful. In Matthew 14:14, it is recorded, "When He stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick." This passage exemplifies how Christ's compassion leads to tangible acts of mercy and healing.

Christ's compassion is also evident in His interactions with individuals marginalized by society. In John 8, Jesus encounters a woman caught in adultery. Rather than condemning her, He offers forgiveness and a call to repentance, saying, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more" (John 8:11). His response reflects a profound compassion that seeks restoration rather than judgment.

Furthermore, Jesus' compassion is vividly portrayed in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). Through this parable, Christ teaches the importance of showing mercy and love to all, regardless of social or ethnic boundaries, embodying the compassion He Himself demonstrated.

In His ultimate act of compassion, Christ willingly sacrifices Himself for the salvation of humanity. As stated in Romans 5:8, "But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This sacrificial love is the pinnacle of His compassion, offering redemption and reconciliation with God.

In summary, Christ's foreknowledge and compassion are integral to His divine nature and earthly ministry. His omniscience and mercy reveal the heart of God, inviting believers to trust in His sovereign plan and to emulate His love and compassion in their own lives.