The Atonement and Compassion

In our study of Matthew 16–17; Mark 8–9; and Luke 9, I was reading about the miracle of the loaves and fishes.  I couldn't help but notice the love and compassion the Savior had for the people in their temporal distress.  As I pondered that, I found Abinadi in the Book of Mormon commenting on the Savior's compassion in the context of His death and resurrection.  That brought me back to the Savior's prophecy to the apostles of His crucifixion.  I am grateful for a loving older brother who cares about every want, from the smallest earthly concern to our need for eternal salvation, and for his willingness to provide.

Mosiah 15:7-9

  Yea, even so he shall be led, crucified, and slain, the flesh becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father.

  And thus God breaketh the bands of death, having gained the victory over death; giving the Son power to make intercession for the children of men—

  Having ascended into heaven, having the bowels of mercy; being filled with compassion towards the children of men; standing betwixt them and justice; having broken the bands of death, taken upon himself their iniquity and their transgressions, having redeemed them, and satisfied the demands of justice.

Matthew 17:22-23

 Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:

 And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again.

Mark 8:1-3

 In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them,

 I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:

 And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.