How Can We Model the Love of Jesus by Showing Compassion?

What Is Compassion?

The dictionary defines compassion as “a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.” It differs from empathy or pity, in that while these words indicate an emotional response to the suffering of others, compassion moves one to act.

rāḥami splagchnizomaisplagchnon

compassionate.

Followers of Jesus Are Commanded to Be Compassionate

Matthew 9:10-13 – “Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, ‘Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?’ But when Jesus heard this, He said, ‘It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire compassion, and not sacrifice,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’”

1. Compassion for Those with Physical Needs

Matthew 15:32 – “And Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, ‘I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way.’”

Go and do the same

2. Compassion for Those Who Mourn

Luke 7:11-15 – “Soon afterwards He went to a city called Nain; and His disciples were going along with Him, accompanied by a large crowd. Now as He approached the gate of the city, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a sizeable crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He felt compassion for her, and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ And He came up and touched the coffin; and the bearers came to a halt. And He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, arise!’ The dead man sat up and began to speak. And Jesus gave him back to his mother.”

3. Compassion for Those Who Have Made Poor Choices

This parable illustrates the way God responds to us, and how we ought to feel deeply and act intentionally to restore those who are suffering because of their own willful choices. There’s no better way to show the redemptive love of Christ.

4. Compassion for the Lost

Mark 6:34 – “When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things.”

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