Compassion

Often, we look at the miracles that Jesus did and think, wow... Jesus sure had a lot of power! And yes, of course, He did. But how did Jesus use that miracle working power that He had?

Remember that Jim Carrey movie where he received godlike power? How did he use it?

• He moved cars out of his way so that he did not have to sit through traffic...
  
  
• He made his dog use the toilet so he did not have to go through the inconvenience of walking his dog...
  
  
• He caused his colleague (Steve Carell) to mess up on camera so that he could get promoted...
  
  
• He gave his wife bigger bosoms so that he could enjoy staring at her...

Now, what is the problem with Carrey’s use of those powers in that film?

That’s right, he used his power selfishly. But we see, in the scriptures, the example of Jesus... how after fasting for 40 days he did not even use his power to make stones turn into bread. Some of us (myself included) might be tempted to turn stones into a five-course gourmet meal! Yet, Jesus was motivated by something very powerful.

What was it?

Jesus was motivated by compassion! Look at the following scripture:

³²Then Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, I have pity and sympathy and am deeply moved for the crowd, because they have been with Me now three days and they have nothing [at all left] to eat; and I am not willing to send them away hungry, lest they faint or become exhausted on the way. ³³And the disciples said to Him, Where are we to get bread sufficient to feed so great a crowd in this isolated and desert place? ³⁴And Jesus asked them, How many loaves of bread do you have? They replied, Seven, and a few small fish. ³⁵And ordering the crowd to recline on the ground, ³⁶He took the seven loaves and the fish, and when He had given thanks, He broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. ³⁷And they all ate and were satisfied. And they gathered up seven [large provision] baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over. ³⁸Those who ate were 4,000 men, not including the women and the children.

Matthew 15:32-38 [AMP]

Jesus was moved with compassion... and He still is!

Even when His own needs were waiting to be met, His compassion caused Him to first minister to others. What a great lesson and what a great example for us to follow!

May we have His compassion active in our lives as we practice the love walk. May we look for opportunities to bless others and not to look to have our own needs met.

When we do this, seeking first His kingdom and righteousness... then all other things will be freely added to us.

Along the lines of the classic Christian song, “Started With a Whisper,” we wrote a similar lyric in our book, “Psalms from the Pen of the Ready Writer: Volume One.” This verse also examines the concept of compassion... or the lack thereof.

And the King will reply to them, Truly I tell you, in so far as you did it for one of the least [in the estimation of men] of these My brethren, you did it for Me.

Matthew 25:40 [AMP]

Standing on the corner
Under pale moonlight
a little lady stands there
human merchandise

Just an hour later
in the shadows dark
another pint of vodka
numbs her wounded heart

Do you not see her?
How can you pass her by?
Where is your compassion?
Can you not hear her cry?

Walking through the front door
of our Sunday church
The little lady comes in
wants to stop the hurt

Laying on the sidewalk
ushers threw her out
‘How dare you show your face here?’
‘Thank you, please stay out!’

How could this happen?
How could it go this way?
What would you do if God
treated you the same way?

He calls us to love and forgive
to heal the wounded sin-sick souls
the church is a holy hospital...
(not a social club)

Standing on the corner
on her way to hell
a little lady stands there
merchandise to sell

What a sad occurrence
What a tragedy...
One question you should ask yourself

What if it was me?

Do you not see her?
How can you pass her by?
Where is your compassion?
Can you not hear her cry?

How could this happen?
How could it go this way?
What would you do if God
treated you the same way?

Grace is something that we enjoy as a gift from God. In fact, some of us are regular drinkers at the fountain of grace. But how often do we stop to realize that grace is even more satisfying when we offer it as a gift to others?

I’m sad to say that some of the most mean and cruel people I’ve met were members of churches. Where is their compassion?

Given that the hallmark of Christianity is love, this is a thing that should not be. A soldier does not shoot his comrade in arms. Nor should Christians show anything less than the same grace that God has afforded to our unworthy souls. If an alcoholic can buy a round of drinks for others… why can’t we offer ‘a round of compassion?’ It is, after all, only by God’s compassion that we have this gift of unmerited favor.