Recently my pastor preached a sermon on compassion. When the message started I thought, “I don’t really need to hear this, I have compassion.” I soon realized that I needed to hear the sermon for reasons other than learning to show compassion to others. I needed to hear this sermon in order to be reminded of the compassion that Jesus has for us.
As the sermon progressed it was wonderful to be reminded that Jesus is never too busy to listen and have compassion for our situations. Jesus is the prime example of how we should live our lives as a compassionate people in service to others. When Jesus showed compassion he not only noticed the situation that the people were experiencing he took action to help the people.
Verses for Reflection- The Compassion of Jesus
- 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 (Matthew 15:32).
- Jesus stopped and called them, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord” they answered, “we want our sight.” Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him (Matthew 20: 32-34).
- When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick (Matthew 14:14).
- A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” (Mark 1: 40-41).
While we can not perform the miracles that Jesus performed out of his compassion our acts of compassion may be viewed by those who experience our demostrations of compassion as the miracle that they were looking for.
Tags: compassion