Compassion literally means to suffer together. It is the ability to feel so deeply for others that you seek to relieve their suffering. Jesus showed the greatest display of compassion when He died on the cross for our sins. He saw our need and gave His life to offer us eternal life in Heaven. We were doomed to Hell without a perfect Lamb to pay our debt of sin. In I John 3:16-17, we are reminded that Jesus laid down His life for us and in verse 17 our love is shown to others by our compassion.
I John 3:16-17 “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have a need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
Compassion flows out of a heart of love. It is a selfless love that puts the needs of others first. Paul teaches us in Philippians 2{1-5 that we are to have compassion on others as Christ does. We are to humble ourselves and seek to build others up, to meet their needs from a heart of love and humility. We live in a world with a “me first” mentality. This is not an attitude that has to be taught, it is a sinful attitude we are born with. Once we are saved, we must put Christ on the throne of our lives, the needs of others second and ourselves last. This is the opposite of the sinful nature and the view of the world. Since Satan is the Prince of the Air, it is the natural view of the old man before salvation. To live a life of compassion we must love like Jesus and act like Jesus.
Philippians 2:1-5 “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”
In Matthew 9:35-38, Jesus has compassion for the multitude. He had been teaching and preaching in their cities, villages, and synagogues. He had healed many and yet, it was not enough. He saw the burden of religious rituals weighing them down. They had followed Him but still didn’t possess Him as their Savior. He saw them as sheep with no shepherd. He turns to His disciples, and to us His modern-day disciples, and expresses His desire to see everyone come to know Him. He was moved with compassion by the spiritual condition of those around him. We are to also be moved with compassion when we look at those without Christ.
Matthew 9:35-38 “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and 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 on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.”
Compassion is love in action. It motivates us to do something about the needs of others. It points us to the one who is the author of true compassion. Compassion seeks to put others above ourselves and trust God to take care of us. Compassion recognizes the grace of God in my life and understands but for that grace, I could be the one in need. Compassion breeds humility. Jesus teaches us about compassion and He exhibits compassion.
Jesus saw the need of us for a Savior. Jesus gave himself for us so that our need for forgiveness could change our eternal home. Do you see the needs of others and do something about it? The greatest need for everyone is to know Jesus as their personal Savior. What are you doing to have compassion for others?
