7-3-11
Compassion is defined as “sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it.” As we can see there are two parts to the word compassion: there is a need that someone has and then there is an awareness and desire to help with that need by someone else. There are many accounts throughout the Bible involving acts of compassion. Today I want us to examine a few different aspects of compassion mentioned in the Bible and look at how we must have compassion in our own lives in order to call ourselves Christians.
In Matthew chapter 14 we find the account of Jesus feeding the five thousand, notice in particular verse 14, “And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.” Mark 8:2 tells again of the compassion that Jesus had on the multitude. Realizing they had been with Him 3 days with nothing to eat, Jesus fed them. Notice in both of the above instances there was a physical need on the part of the people followed by a desire to fill the need on the part of Jesus. The desire to help was heart-felt and he showed his love for others by alleviating the distress that the multitude was in.
Compassion is needed to help with physical needs, but it is also necessary with those in spiritual need. Mark 6:34 says, “And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.” In the same account told in Luke chapter 9, verse 11 says He spoke to them about the kingdom of God. Once again Jesus saw a need, this time a spiritual need and he was moved to relieve the need of the people.
We have looked at compassion in relation to physical and spiritual needs, yet another aspect of compassion involves forgiveness and mercy. In Matthew chapter 18 we read of the parable that Jesus told regarding the unforgiving servant. Recall that the servant owed his master a good deal of money, but did not have the means to repay the debt. In verse 26 the servant asks the master for patience, notice the response of the master in verse 27, “Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave the debt.” The master had the right to demand repayment for the money, but showing mercy he desired to do good and forgave the debt. In Psalm 78:38 we read of the compassion that God showed toward the disobedient Israelites, “But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and did not destroy them. Yes, many a time He turned His anger away, And did not stir up all His wrath.” As we can clearly see compassion involves mercy. We must be willing to forgive.
It is evident that we cannot properly serve God without compassion. Compassion is a must as we read in I John 3:17, But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart form him, how does the love of God abide in him?” One of the major problems in this world today is that people don’t take the time to care for the needs of others. Most are too busy indulging themselves with whatever they can find to satisfy their self-serving nature. If the love of God abides in us we will desire to help those in need. If compassion is properly applied, then the help we offer will be performed in love, glorifying God, and seeking no credit for the good deed. It is through compassion that we can help others, forgive those who have wronged us, and teach others the message of the ultimate act of compassion, and that is that Jesus died a cruel death so that all who are willing may have the hope of an eternal home in heaven.
Garrett Alsip