Compassion

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Compassion. 

A quick google search yielded the following: Compassion alludes to kindness and sympathy, but there is something deeper, something even more profoundly powerful, in its meaning. In Latin, 'compati' means “suffer with.” Compassion means someone else's heartbreak becomes your heartbreak. Another's suffering becomes your suffering.

Throughout scripture we see compassion and compassion in action. Titled as Christian Ethics, Romans 12:15 says, Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 

When he saw the crowds, he felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.”  Matthew 9:26-38

When he went ashore, he saw a large crowd, had compassion on them, and healed their sick. Matthew 14:14

Compassion is not just an emotion or feeling, but it involves an action. Whether we literally sit with people in their suffering or show compassionate care through some act of service, or both, we are called to DO something. Compassion calls us to come close and draw near. It's a call to a loving action. Compassion should not only move our hearts, invoke an emotion, but it should compel and move us to do something. 

Scripture over and over demonstrates God's compassionate heart for and towards us. His compassion as shown in scripture either gives us something or extends something towards us we do not deserve, or withholds something we do deserve. God rescues, redeems, favors, saves, aids, and delivers us more times than we deserve. His compassionate mercy towards us relents judgement and punishment when we mess up and sin. How humbling! God's compassion towards us as sons and daughters is always demonstrated with patience, kindness and unfailing love. 

We are most like our Father when bear his image and take on his nature. Jesus was filled with compassion. And he always did something about it. May God give us courage to "see" with the eyes of our heart and not look away but to draw closer and ask the Father, what can I do? How can I demonstrate your heart in this situation? How can I show and extend compassion because I am grateful and humble for the compassion that has been extended towards me? 

God is graciously and almost ridiculously compassionate towards us. So how can we not extend the same undeserving kindness towards others?  


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