Compassion is a word full of feeling and a drive for action. Take the following Scripture
passage for example.“Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages,
teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing
every sickness and every disease among the people.
But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and
scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.
Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is
plentiful, but the laborers are few.
Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out
laborers into His harvest.” (Matthew
9:35-38)
These few verses remind me of
what Jesus said through the apostle John.
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down
one’s life for his friends.” (John
15:13)
Jesus is the epitome of
“walking the talk.” He didn’t just say it; He felt it and then did something
about it.
It never ceases to touch my
heart that Jesus took our sins upon Himself through much suffering … suffering
more intense than you and I could ever imagine. He set aside for a while His
royal robe of Heaven and clothed Himself in the rags of humanity. Upon the
cross all of our filthy sins were laid upon Him who never sinned. And if the physical
pain were not enough, something happened that had never happened before in
eternity past. He was separated from God the Father because of my sins and
yours. He didn’t have to do that, but He had compassion on us.
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ
Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal
with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant,
and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He
humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of
the cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8)
When I consider my compassion
level I certainly fall short. How about you? Yes, we all fall short, but we can
grow in that area as we continue to let Jesus live in us instead of living for
ourselves.
It’s easy to have compassion
for our own family members, but what about those in the crowds of the world,
especially those who don’t reciprocate in kind? Can we pray for that jerk on the
job that makes our life miserable? Can we have compassion on that idiot that
just cut us off in traffic, praying they get to their destination safely? Can
we put feet to our prayers for that family we know needs help?
I think of the leper that
came to Jesus hoping to be healed. What a lonely, miserable life he must have
had. He couldn’t be around anyone, not even his own family. He could never
touch his wife again or hold his dear child in his lap. People would run if he
came within sight. Covid-19 has caused many folks to know his loneliness. What
did Jesus do? Yes, I know He healed him, but what did He do first of all? He
reached out and TOUCHED HIM. Can you imagine how the leper felt, feeling a
human touch once again? Jesus had compassion on Him.
Some day when our old sin
nature is permanently removed (only those who belong to Christ), our compassion
level will be like the Lord’s because we will be perfectly clothed in His
righteousness and not our own self-righteousness. That is a day I long for, and
I know you do as well.
In the meantime, there is a
field ripe unto harvest that needs laborers. We can share the compassion of the
God we serve, the Lord Jesus Christ, by doing our part in whatever He has
called us to do on His behalf.
As Christians, we all are
part of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12) and He assigns each of us a
special responsibility. Whether we’re a foot, a hand, or an elbow, etc., He is
the head and guides our steps. Whatever we do for Him, He wants us to show the
same compassion that He shows for others.
Will you and I fail at times,
or even often? You betcha! The question is, “Are we trying?” When you teach
your child to make their bed, are they going to make that bed as perfectly as
you would do? Of course not, but they will get better as time goes on. (If your
child isn’t making their own bed, you’re already behind.) Quite often you and I
will color outside the lines, but God has compassion. He is patient.
I don’t feel that true
compassion is something that can be manufactured by our own efforts, but you
say, “Even non-Christians show compassion,” and that is true. However, the
compassion that comes from Christ and flows through us looks upon the soul and
not just the outer person. Our compassion may lead someone to Jesus, saving
them from the fires of hell.
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most
holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God,
looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some
have compassion, making a distinction, but others save with fear, pulling them
out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.” (Jude (1:20-23)
One last thing … maybe you
need to experience the compassion of Jesus. You’ve been beaten down by family,
friends, sicknesses, addictions or just life in general. Jesus cares. If you
will come to Him, He will already be there waiting for you.
What is your greatest need?
Do you recognize that you are a sinner (as we all are) and you have never asked
Him to save you? Then this is your greatest need, above and beyond anything
else in your life. Come to Him now and He will save you.
“For God so loved the world
that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not
perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
Grant Phillips
Email: Phillip5769@twc.com
Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
Rapture Ready: http://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html
