Compassion

Scriptures: When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew 9:36)

A friend of mine, a seminarian shared a personal story with me. When he was taking a course on counseling, per class requirements, he had to counsel people. One day, a young man walked into his office and requested to talk to him. He gladly showed him in and started the conversation.

In their conversation, he noticed this young man’s name which had the same last name as the director of their counseling department. So he asked this young man if he was related to the director in any way. It turned out that this young man was the director’s son. This got this seminarian uneasy. So, he decided to talk with the director.

He told the director about his son coming to him for counseling. He told the director that he could not release any information he had from the director’s son and that he is in somewhat a difficult position. The director, having heard all that he had to say, told him that it was absolutely OK for him to counsel his son. He said, the techniques were important, but the most important thing he would expect of my friend was that he would be caring enough to try his best to understand his son. My friend said, even years later, this advice has always been a reminder for him, especially when things are not going well.

Bible is full of passages that show how much Jesus cares. Jesus often acted out of His compassion. Out of His compassion, to some, He healed them, fed them, taught them many things, and cried with them. To others, He warned them and rebuked them. Compassion was an important attribute of Jesus and, to the disciples who witnessed Jesus in all His earthly ministries, seemed to have compelled Jesus to take on a lot of ministries to comfort and strengthen people and to bring them back into the condition and relationship God has in mind for them all along.

People came to Jesus in various conditions and appearances. But, to Jesus, needs were what He saw in them. Social status, physical condition, wealth and others didn’t matter to Him. He saw their needs and His compassion prompted for actions to satisfy those needs. He responded and the results were just like the prophecy for Him, “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.” (Matthew 11:5)

Today, the same needs are still there. People are “harassed and hopeless,” just like the time of Jesus. They are lost and longing for a sense of direction in life, just like the time of Jesus. They are suffering physically and emotionally, just like the time of Jesus. A lot of things have changed, but the fundamental needs for love and for the right relationship with God remain. Such is the world we live in and the needs challenging us.

Paul said, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5). Compassion moved Jesus to minister to the people of His time. It should move us to do the same, too. What needs do we see in the community we live? Do we care enough to understand and do something about them?

May God help us all!

Prayer Requests:
For compassionate Christians everywhere

Prayer:

Our loving Father, You don’t see us as the appearances we present ourselves. You see us in our deepest needs and have compassion for us. Help us to be filled with Your compassion for all and be moved by Your Spirit to take actions to share the good news of Your salvation and the promises of abundant life Your Son Jesus made possible for all. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!