Today, I will start a series of devotions on opportunities. I am convinced that the vast majority of the opportunities God places before us go unnoticed. This one will deal with compassion. A topic that Jesus teaches us to put into action. Compassion is defined as a deep sympathy for those who are suffering in some way, coupled with a strong desire to alleviate the pain. It may be physical or mental. Genuine compassion causes us to take action to help others. It is a genuine concern; it seeks no accolades, but it will prompt us to consider their needs and find selfless ways to help.
After we are saved, we are to seek to be like Jesus. He is the standard, and for the rest of our lives, we are to look to Him and emulate Him in every way. Compassion is an attribute that Jesus exhibits to us over and over in scripture.
In Matthew 15:32, Jesus calls His disciples to a little huddle and is about to teach them a valuable lesson. Jesus and the disciples were tired because many were following them to hear Jesus and see the wonders He would do. In this situation, they had followed for three days, and there were no more provisions among them to sustain them physically. He would not send them away without feeding them, because He knew they might not make it home without food. His disciples are puzzled and weary. They asked Jesus how they would feed this many? He takes the seven loaves of bread and a few little fish and multiplies them enough to feed everyone. He has them gather the leftovers, and there were seven baskets left. Why did they question Jesus? They had already witnessed Him feeding the 5000 and many other miracles. Could it be they needed another lesson on compassion? To me, it is obvious they lacked compassion for the multitude because they would have sent them home. However, they obeyed and witnessed another great miracle.
Matthew 15:32-38 “Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. Mat 15:33 And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.”
In Matthew 20:30, Jesus encounters two blind men. They ask for mercy. In verse 34, Jesus has compassion on them and gives them far more than mercy; he restores their sight. Their gratitude is shown by their response to follow Him.
Matthew 20:30 “And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.”
Matthew 20:34 “So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.”
In Luke 10:34 35 Jesus is telling the story we know as “The Good Samaritan.” Several people had passed by, even the religious people, and saw the beaten-up man lying in a ditch, but no one else had enough compassion to stop to help him. “And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.” This Samaritan was someone who was looked down on by the Jews, yet he did what they should have done. He went the extra mile to take care of the man and even paid for him to stay in a safe place.
In I Peter 3:8, we are taught to have compassion for one another and to take care of the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
I Peter 3:8 “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be sympathetic, be courteous:
It is clear that Jesus intends for us to show compassion for others. Some have physical needs. In these situations, we need to pitch in and do the things around their home that they cannot do. Sometimes there is sorrow that is hard for them to bear. We must be sensitive, lending a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, and a knee to bend in prayer with and for them. We cannot determine who will get our compassion.
In Psalm 78:38, God’s people had sinned, but God forgave them and showed compassion. He had every right to execute wrath, but He chose not to. In Jude 1:22, we are given a command to make a difference in others by showing compassion. We are taught that all people do not respond the same way, but when we love them and show compassion, the proper response is easier for them. There are many in circumstances they had no control over. We must reach out and show compassion to them. This is what Jesus would do and what He commands us to do.
Now, what is keeping you from showing compassion? Do you judge people’s situations and deem them as unworthy of your compassion because you think they brought this on themselves? May I remind you that each of us brings circumstances that are not desirable to ourselves, because we are all sinners. This attitude stems from deep-rooted pride, one of the seven sins God hates in Proverbs chapter 6. Who are we to judge if a person is worthy of compassion? None of us measures up to the sinless perfection that is required to enter Heaven. Therefore, without God’s compassion, we are doomed to Hell. It is time we, as Christians, open our eyes to the needs around us and show compassion. I wonder how many times Jesus has placed people in our paths to give us an opportunity to make a difference, yet we failed and missed the opportunity to show the love of Christ.
