COMPASSION
When we think of compassion, we think of a person “with a heart.” Someone without compassion is someone to be feared-ruthless, unmerciful, callous, no heart. Compassion is both an emotion (we are moved with pity for someone) and an action (acting kindly to those in need). Jesus felt great compassion for the crowds of people who followed him, desperately searching for meaning and longing to be healed from sickness (see Matthew 9:36). Jesus also had compassion on them by healing many and telling them the good news about God (see Mark 6:56). Compassion is a tearing of the heart, a true caring, something deeply seated in our emotions as we respond to another in need. In many ways, compassion is a litmus test of our commitment and desire to love others as Christ loves us. To be Christlike is also to share in his compassionate feelings toward the needy, particularly the needy who cannot help themselves. If we are not moved by the incredible needs and hurts around us, we are developing hearts of stone, which will soon become too hard to respond to others.
HOW DOES GOD SHOW HIS COMPASSION TO ME?
Psalm 103:8 . . . The Lord is merciful and gracious; he is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love.
Psalm 103:13 . . . The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
God shows his compassion to us by giving us blessings we don’t deserve, and by not giving us what we deserve. Instead he forgives us and restores us to what we were intended to be.
HOW CAN I SHOW COMPASSION TO OTHERS?
2 Corinthians 8:9 . . . You know how full of love and kindness our Lord Jesus Christ was. Though he was very rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.
Christ in his love for us gave up his most high position to come to earth and die for us. Our response should be to throw out our pride and show compassion to those around us, even when it takes us out of our comfort zone.
WHAT CAN WE LEARN ABOUT GOD’S COMPASSION THAT CAN HELP US BE MORE COMPASSIONATE?
Ephesians 4:32 . . . Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Lamentations 3:22-23 . . . The unfailing love of the Lord never ends! . . . Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day.
Mark 1:41 . . . Moved with pity, Jesus touched him. “I want to,” he said. “Be healed!”
Luke 6:36 . . . You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.
Psalm 145:8 . . . The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to get angry, full of unfailing love.
Psalm 72:12-14 . . . He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them. He feels pity for the weak and the needy . . . for their lives are precious to him.
A mark of godliness is to share the compassionate heart of Jesus. If we want to be like him, we must be compassionate.
WHY DOES GOD HAVE SUCH COMPASSION FOR HIS PEOPLE?
Nehemiah 13:22 . . . O my God! Have compassion on me according to your great and unfailing love.
God’s compassion flows from the depths of a heart of goodness.
GOD’S COMPASSION COMES TO US EVEN WHEN WE DON’T DESERVE IT.
Psalm 103:8 . . . The Lord is merciful and gracious; he is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love.
What a wonderful surprise when divine love pours forth on the undeserving.
DOESN’T GOD EVER GET TIRED OF HAVING SO MUCH COMPASSION ON PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY ON THOSE WHO DON’T DESERVE IT?
Lamentations 3:21-22 . . . I still dare to hope when I remember this: the unfailing love of the Lord never ends!
Like a wonderful spring, God’s compassion flows endlessly toward us.
PEOPLE OFTEN NEED COMPASSION MORE THAN ADVICE.
Job 5:27 . . . We have found from experience that all this is true. Listen to my counsel, and apply it to yourself.
Advice doesn’t often get through to hurting people; first they need compassion.
HOW DOES GOD SHOW HIS COMPASSION TO ME?
Psalm 103:8 . . . The Lord is merciful and gracious; he is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love.
God shows his compassion to us by giving us blessings we don’t deserve and by not giving us what we deserve.
HOW CAN I FOLLOW CHRIST’S EXAMPLE OF COMPASSION TO PEOPLE I ASSOCIATE WITH DAILY?
2 Corinthians 8:9 . . . You know how full of love and kindness our Lord Jesus Christ was. Though he was very rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.
Christ in his love for us gave up his most high position to come to earth and die for us. Our response should be to abandon our pride and show compassion to those around us, even when it takes us out of our comfort zone.
HOW IS MY COMPASSION FOR OTHERS RELATED TO MY FAITH?
Luke 5:20 . . . Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Acts 10:43 . . . He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.
Jesus forgave and healed people when he saw their faith placed into action. So, too, as our faith grows we should place ourselves into action with compassionate acts towards those around us.
PROMISES FROM GOD:
Psalm 145:9 . . . The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.
Psalm 72:12 . . . He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them.