Mark Twain said, "Compassion is a language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” Compassion changes the way we live- from our outlook of life to the way we treat humanity, animals, and our planet. As believers, I believe God calls us to extend compassion to all things He has created. It is our heart’s desire to alleviate suffering. It is grace, kindness, mercy, and loving tenderness intertwined.
Compassion isn’t just something we feel or observe. When we have compassion in our hearts, we are compelled to help and take action. The word compassion in Latin is ‘compatii’ which means to “suffer with.” It means that another’s suffering becomes our own. It is the highest form of love.
Our greatest example of compassion in the Bible is one of both forgiveness and rescue. Jesus selflessly sacrificed Himself for us so that we can have eternal life. The Bible shows us that we have a compassionate God. Psalm 86:15 says, “But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” Isaiah 30:18 states, “I will tell of the kindness of the Lord, the deeds for which He is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us; yes, the good things He has done for Israel, according to His compassion and kindness.”
The Bible also shows us that we have a compassionate Savior. There is no one who demonstrates more loving kindness than Jesus. He showed us that there is no end to the compassion we should give. One example is in Luke 7:12-15 which tells us, “As He approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out – the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, His heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.” Then He went up and touched the coffin on which they were carrying him. He said, “Young man, I tell you, get up!” The boy sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.”
Philippians 2:1-2 says, “Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being on in spirit and of one mind.” I love the language in the Amplified Bible of 1 John 3:18 which says, “Little children, let us not love merely in theory with word or just giving lip service to compassion, but in action and in sincere truth and in practice, because practical acts of love are more than words.”
Those who grew up in Sunday school probably know the parable Jesus told of The Good Samaritan. It is the story about a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho who is robbed and beaten and in great need of help. A Jewish priest and a Levite, both assistants to the priest, pass by him without stopping to offer any help. Finally, a Samaritan comes upon him who shows compassion by cleaning and bandaging his wounds, putting him on his donkey, and taking him to an inn where he pays in advance for his care.
Numerous examples of compassion are interwoven throughout the pages of Bible. Boaz was full of compassion. He instructed workers in his field to leave grain for Ruth to gather, thus providing her with the food she needed in order to survive. Another was Joseph of Arimathea, who, risking losing his status, family, and friends prepared his personal tomb for his Messiah. Yet another example is the woman who washed the feet of Jesus with total abandonment and worship. A common theme about these stories is that the compassion demonstrated was sacrificial.
Not long ago the news ran a video piece that was caught by a trail camera. It showed a mama fox approaching a home and crying loudly for help. The homeowner, recognizing something was amiss, followed the fox where he found her tiny cub caught in fence wires. He spoke gently to the little cub as he patiently worked to free him. The video then showed a more recent video of the mama fox and her cub visiting the homeowner. I don’t know about you, but videos like that turn me into a puddle of tears. Just watching gentle tenderness in action really gets to my heart.
So how can we become more compassionate? The first step is prayer. Let’s ask God to open our eyes, hearts, and minds to those who are suffering. Secondly, let’s be more mindful in recognizing the opportunities that God has placed on our paths. Opportunities are all around us to serve, forgive, and be kindhearted and loving. There are opportunities around the globe for us to display kindness, compassion, and make a difference.
Lord, thank you for your loving kindness and compassion towards us! Thank you for giving us wisdom and opportunities to show others your tender love. Please help each of us be mindful in how we direct our minds, eyes, hearts and hands in our every day living.
Amen