Merriam-Webster defines compassion as, "sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it." Have you ever watched a commercial featuring starving children in a third-world country with flies swarming their bony bodies and bloated bellies? Or have you watched a commercial showing animals who have been abused and tortured, missing limbs or eyes? It's heart-breaking. If you thought it was awful and went on about your day, you were not moved by compassion. It doesn't mean you aren't a caring person. But for those who scribbled down the phone number and grabbed their debit card to make a donation to help save the children or the animals, they were moved by compassion. They saw the distress of others and it motivated them to fix the problem, or meet the need. It's a great trait to have.
My grandmother taught me to pray for compassion. I have done so since I was a young girl, long before I fully understood the concept. Throughout my life I have felt bad about situations for others, but when I was an adult I was moved with compassion. I wanted to fix the problems or meet the needs in whatever way I could.
Starvation, poverty, abuse, neglect, addiction don't go away regardless of the prayers that go up, the money raised, or the things we do. Some say why even bother, but we might make a difference in at least one person's life. We must have compassion! In Mark 14:7, Jesus said, "For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but Me ye have not always." He said this to Judas that later betrayed Him. Judas was angry the expensive perfume was used for Jesus. Judas said it should have been sold and the money given to the poor. He was actually greedy and held the purse, so he was thinking of all the money that could have made him wealthy. Jesus said there will always be those in need and we can help them whenever we have the means to do so, but this was a special anointing for His upcoming death.
We can read the Bible from the Old Testament to the New Testament and find many passages on compassion. The Psalmist wrote many times of the compassion and mercy of God. He had made mistakes in his life, committed adultery, had her husband killed, numbered the people out of pride, and yet he would repent to God and was always pardoned. That compassion and mercy God showed David was so appreciated David proclaimed it over and over throughout the Psalms.
PSALMS 86:15 But Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
In Lamentations we are reminded that we are not consumed in our wickedness because of God's mercy. His compassion does not fail. He looks at us in this sinful state and moved with compassion He sent His Son Jesus to come to this old, cruel world and die for our sins. He wanted us to be in His family that much!
LAMENTATIONS 3:32 It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.
Jesus healed a lot of people while He walked the earth. He saw people in great need and He didn't think, "Gosh, that's too bad. I hate that for them." He was moved with compassion to feed them, heal them, restore their sight, and to save them!
MATTHEW 9:36 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.
Peter speaks of compassion in his letter. He tells everyone to get into agreement, have compassion for each other, love as brothers, be pitiful and courteous. What kind of world would it be if all did that? What if each person on the planet came together in agreement, having the mind of Christ, feeling compassion for their brothers and sisters, and were courteous? Wow! I can only imagine it would be a wonderful place to live!
1 PETER 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
We are supposed to have compassion. The question John asks in this passage is how can we say we have God in our hearts but we do nothing about the needs around us even though we have the ability to help. Can you mail a card to someone in the nursing home? What about getting groceries for your elderly loved one? Would you be able to make a donation to the homeless shelter or humane society? What needs are there in your home, your neighborhood, your family, your community that you can meet or help with? Show how much love of God you have by giving.
1 JOHN 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
We just left one of the busiest giving seasons of the year, but as a Christian we are called to have compassion every single day of the year. Beyond the physical, mental, and emotional needs of others we are called to have compassion who are in spiritual need as well. The tiny book in the Bible just before the grand finale of Revelation is Jude. It instructs us to build ourselves up on our most Holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost. We are told to not only have the love of God but to keep ourselves in that love. We are to look for the mercy of Jesus unto eternal life and as we see those who stumble along the way, walking in the darkness, unaware of the saving grace of Jesus, we are to have compassion, making a difference in their eternal future. And others we have to save with fear by telling them hell is real and there's a real devil who hates them and wants them to burn forever because he wants to deceive the world. When we tell them, the Bible says we are pulling them out of the fire because we hate even the evidence of sin.
JUDE 1:20-23 (20)But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most Holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, (21)Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (22)And of some have compassion, making a difference: (23)And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Do you have compassion? If not, pray and ask God to give you compassion. If we open our hearts to others and meet their needs or offer some help along the way, we are doing the same to Jesus. What are some ways you can have compassion in 2021? Make a list of things to help others. Give someone a compliment. Let someone go ahead of you in line. Hold the door for someone. Do the nice things, but don't forget the spiritual needs. Who can you share a scripture with? Did you read a Bible study or devotional lately that touched you? Why not share it with someone else? My friends and I have a weekly Zoom Bible study and it's such a blessing. Do all you can where you can when you can and watch God bless it and make it grow!
God bless you!
~Bridgett Owens
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