The Compassion of Jesus by Adolph Saphir

Adolph Saphir was a nineteenth century Apollos, a Jewish man, who was "eloquent, mighty in the Scriptures, fervent in the spirit, who taught diligently the things of the Lord." Saphir was born into an orthodox Jewish family in Hungary. He was converted to Christ through the mission to the Jews of Budapest of the Free Church of Scotland, founded by Robert McCheyne and Andrew Bonar. Saphir was converted as a child at the same time as his father, Israel Saphir, who had been a well known and respected Jewish scholar. Growing up in this home, Adolph was equipped with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures as well as Jewish beliefs and customs. He was later educated in Berlin and then in Scotland. He served in pastorates in Scotland and greater London. He always had a heart for his own Jewish people, and was instrumental of God in bringing many of them to the promised Christ. Charles Spurgeon described him as "Saphir, the biblical student, the lover of the Word, the lover of the God of Israel." Andrew Bonar wrote of him, "indeed a Hebrew of Hebrews in the best sense."

Saphir's sermons are filled with Jesus Christ. He preached Christ from both Testaments, showing that Jesus is the promised Messiah, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and hope. His style is characterized by pithy, memorable illustrations, which helped both warm the hearts and stimulate the minds of his listeners to the preciousness of the Savior. He expressed great truths in few words. The reader will find this collection of sermons and tracts to be Christ centered and Christ exalting. They are biblically based expositions of gospel truth.