“Everyone needs compassion–the kindness of a Savior.” This song, especially the word ‘compassion’ is on my mind since I woke up this morning, so that’s what we’ll look at today…
“Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High God, for He is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others and you will be forgiven. Give and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” Luke 6: 35-8
I’m reminded of the time when I was volunteer counselor at our local Pregnancy Center…
My client was beside herself, brimming with anger towards someone, over something very hurtful they did to her. She just could not move past it or get over it…
Together we read these words from Jesus. You know what she said to me? Her exact words were, “Well I’m not Jesus!” I answered, “No, we’re not Jesus, but the Bible does make it clear that obedience unlocks the door to blessings.” When we forgive and are compassionate, it demonstrates to the world that we received God’s forgiveness. Jesus spells it out for us…If we’re critical over others, we’ll also be criticized by someone (Maybe not now, but definitely at some point).
And I know that when it’s time for the offering at church, this verse is always mentioned…but it’s just not about money. Jesus is saying that when we are generous (with our time, encouraging words, providing food, or clothing…etc), and compassionate– these qualities will come back to us in full measure. So “What comes around, goes around” is Biblical!
In the NT, compassion is defined as having a feeling of distress through the ills of others. It’s also defined as to suffer with another, to have mercy, to show kindness by serving or assisting. Remember the story of when Jesus healed the paralyzed man? The house where Jesus was teaching was packed…
”While he was preaching God’s Word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2 3-5
The paralyzed man’s need moved his friends to action, and they brought him to Jesus. Do you act when you see someone’s need? There’s many people who have physical, as well as spiritual needs you can either meet yourself, or with others who are also concerned. Human need moved these four men; let it also move us into compassionate action.
I think I remember Jesus saying that the harvest is great, but the workers are few.
Or how about the story of Jesus forgiving the Adulterous woman…
“As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. ‘Teacher,’ they said to Jesus, ‘this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?’
They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, ‘All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!’ Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.
When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, ‘Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?’
‘No, Lord,’ she said.
And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I. Go and sin no more.’ John 8: 3-11
By saying that only a sinless person could throw the first stone, Jesus was highlighting the importance of forgiveness and compassion. Are we quick to judge others when they’re caught in sin? By doing that, we’re acting as if we never sin. This shows us that as our role as Christ followers, we are to show forgiveness and compassion. But I’ll be the first to admit—“It’s easier said than done.” Like the Pharisees… Our sin nature makes us want to fight against this. When we struggle with this, we need to ask God for help, and remember that,
“Greater is He who lives in us, than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
Or
“We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.” Philippians 4:13
***A final request…Would you pray for my Dad? He’s been fighting Pancreatic Cancer since March 2008. He has gone downhill in the last few weeks. My mother has called Hospice to come and take care of him. We don’t know how long it will be. Only God knows.