Compassion Action

Today I resume my series of articles based on quotations on various topics. It occurs to me that these writings stand alone; and most people wouldn’t notice if I was in a series or not. But it’s helpful to me to think in these terms. Recent events in our world got me thinking about the topic of compassion. Wars and storms have taken terrible tolls. I have often felt compassion, but it ended with a feeling. On other occasions my compassion moved me into action.

We see several examples in the gospel accounts of Jesus having compassion. Typically, it led him to do something. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36). In this example Jesus simply saw the needs around him. He opened his eyes and was moved. The starting point for compassion in our lives is to see the condition and needs of others. The reason Jesus had compassion was because he saw their problem. Whatever he observed was related to them being in a situation where they couldn’t help themselves. They were lost. And as the good shepherd he knew he could provide for their spiritual needs. That is why the account in Mark mentions that he taught them at that point. Jesus recognized the opportunities were plentiful, but the workers were few.

Later in Matthew we see something similar with Jesus observing crowds. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick (14:14). By far the most common type of prayer request is for people who are sick. We all value our health and get concerned when we hear someone else has an issue with their body. Jesus had the power to heal them, although that was not his primary purpose on earth. He acted and, in some cases, people were even healed when he simply allowed them to touch the fringe of his garment. It started with seeing the need and was completed by doing something about it.

One example on a grand scale found a compassionate Jesus demonstrating his power over nature. It was getting late in the day and thousands were with Jesus as he taught them. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way” (15:32). I’m sure you know the rest of the story. The kid’s little lunch became a feast for many with 12 baskets of leftovers to spare. Who doesn’t like free food? The disciples lacked compassion because they wanted to send the people away. Jesus had a much better idea. Compassion is always a good idea.

Jesus also had compassion on a pair of people who were just sitting around as crowds followed Jesus. They were blind men by the road who somehow knew who Jesus was and what power he possessed. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us” (20:30)! He asked them a question which seemed to have an obvious answer. Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.” Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him (20:32-34). This act of compassion by our Lord led them to follow him. I would have done the same thing as those who received their sight.

Meister Eckhart said, “You may call God love, you may call God goodness. But the best name for God is compassion”. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy (James 5:11). In the prodigal son parable, the father ran to his wayward son with forgiveness because he had compassion for him. When we have compassion for those in trouble or in need we reflect the love of God.

When we know the truth of the Bible, it is a terrible thing to not live out our faith by showing compassion. As Francis Schaeffer said, “Biblical orthodoxy without compassion is surely the ugliest thing in the world”. Although his point is well taken, I can think of things that are uglier, however. When we understand how Jesus lived and what commands in scripture speak of caring for others, we certainly fall short when we don’t back up our compassion with action.

Pastor Rick Warren states, “The role of the church and the government are fundamentally different. The church must always show compassion, always”. All who are a part of the body of Christ can individually and collectively be the hands and feet of Jesus when we see needs and are moved to compassion. While some may empathize and sense compassion more than others, we are all obligated to act in whatever ways are possible for us.

Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman was right when he said, “As Christians, our compassion is simply a response to the love that God has already shown us”. When we have experienced the loving-kindness and compassion of God what else can we do but show compassion to the less fortunate and those who have a need that we can help meet? It may be with our words or our wallets. But if we do nothing, we fail to take opportunities that God has given us to bless others as his instrument.

The people of God are to clothe themselves with compassion (Colossians 3:12). It is a feeling, but also something we put on and do. Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble (1 Peter 3:8). Whether it is someone across the street or around the world, be on the lookout for how you can put compassion into action.