Compassion

Real talk.

Compassion in the 21 Century in my opinion is rare to find. Even back in biblical days compassion was still uncommon. Let us understand what the word compassion means before we talk of it.

Compassion is that deep sympathy and/or sorrow you get for someone else’s suffering or misfortune and is followed by a desire to alleviate the pain or remove the cause of hurt. There are a few examples of compassion that Jesus teaches. One of the stories that I found is in Mark 5. Which talks of when one of the synagogue leaders named Jairus fell to Jesus’ feet pleading earnestly for Him to heal his dying daughter. Jesus had followed him to his house where there was a commotion coming from people crying and wailing loudly. When Jesus informs them that she isn’t dead she is only sleeping, they laughed, then Jesus puts them out of the home allowing only three disciples with the mother and father in the home at that time. When Jesus took her hand and said, “Talitha Koum!” (Little girl, I say to you, get up) Speaking life into existence upon the little girl, she rose immediately and started walking.

Compassion plays a big role in our life as Christ followers. A synagogue leader came to Jesus who was a carpenter and Jesus went out of His way to alleviate the cause of the misfortune the parents had. He didn’t allow the laughs of the people to stop Him.

The statues of people whether they are rich or homeless shouldn’t prevent us to show Christ like compassion towards one another. Not for a self-satisfactory ego boost, but because that is how God wants us to be toward one another. He has given us the authority to cast demons out, lay hands on those that are sick and heal them. Pride and fear get in the way of being compassionate toward someone who is needing a blessing from God. Maybe opening a door enough for someone to ask, “Why are you doing this for me?” and that right there is all we need as faithful disciples to start pouring God’s love into their life. Responding with, “Well, you see, Jesus did the same for me on the cross. And He wants you to know that He loves you.”

God came from Heaven to earth as man to take away our transgressions amongst other things because He had enough compassion for us to sacrifice himself for our freedom and joy. What can we do in return?