By Shirley Rosemarie Evans
Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, 'I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.'
Matthew 15:32 NKJV
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Colossians 3:12 NIV
Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
Philippians 2:1-3 NIV
The definition of compassion is a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is hurting, in pain, or has misfortune and is accompanied by a strong desire to help the suffering.
Jesus’ ministry here on earth is marked by compassion, wherever He went crowds followed Him and repeatedly we are told that He was moved with compassion. His compassion always moved Him to act: - He fed the hungry. He healed the sick He raised the dead.
For us, mere humans, it is often difficult for us to be genuinely moved by compassion especially when we feel that people have got what they deserve. But not so Christ, do you recall the thief on the cross, the is no doubt that he deserved punishment but Christ who is forever gracious and full of compassion offered Him a better future, an eternity with Jesus.
Compassion is a natural by-product of grace. As we reflect on our own lives, we will own that indeed God has been gracious and compassionate to us, not treating us as we deserve, but rather He rescued us from sin when our just punishment was death for the wages of sin is death, but God’s gift is eternal life. He gave us abundant life in Him and He has continued to rescue us again and again. As believers who have received so much grace from an ever-compassionate God, we are called to be gracious to others reflecting the character of our Saviour.
I can recall an occasion some years ago when I was on a bus travelling into the city, it was still early a little after 8:00 am. I was not a frequent user of public transport so I was enjoying the journey relaxing and taking time to really observe my surroundings, seeing things I would normally miss while driving where I would have to stay focused on traffic.
The bus was going through a district that I was not overly familiar with, and as I looked about, I saw what I assumed were residents sitting on the steps outside their homes, they were drinking what appeared to be alcohol, straight from bottles which they passed around. I was at first shocked, it wasn’t even lunchtime, but then another emotion filled me as I realised just how helpless and hopeless, they were and how empty their lives must be and from nowhere tears filled my eyes, I began to pray for them and the neighbourhood as we drove through. I recognised that this was compassion. This began my journey and desire to reach the lost.
May we as we go through our days be moved by those all around us who are desperately in need of a Saviour, moved to be gracious and moved by compassion to act remembering that when we too were once utterly helpless Christ died for us and through Him, we now live purposeful, and lives filled with Joy.
Ask: Why is compassion a reflection of grace?
Seek: When was the last time you were moved by compassion and how did this move you to act?
Knock: Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, (Philippians 2:1-3 NIV)
Reflect on this verse- thank God for His grace towards you in saving you and ask Him to fill you afresh with compassion so that you will humbly serve all humanity without judgment.
(Upper Photo by Giulia Bertelli on Unsplash)
(Inner Photo by Zac Durant on Unsplash)
