Throughout the Gospels we find Jesus administering compassion to those around Him. A man with leprosy is made clean. One who was paralyzed gets up from his mat and walks home. A bleeding woman is healed by just a touch of Jesus’ garment. And one of my personal favorites is Jesus raising his dear friend Lazarus from the grave. These accounts and more speak volumes about Christ’s compassion towards the needy. However, there is one act of compassion that is greater than them all.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Jesus (God in the flesh) taking on the form of man, going to the cross and dying for our sins, was Christ’s greatest act of compassion yet.
When Jesus felt compassion, He didn’t just feel sorry for those who were afflicted. He took action and helped them. There is much we can learn through our Lord’s example of compassion—principles that we can apply towards our interactions with others.
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10)
Compassion requires caring for one another’s needs as best we can. I’ve found that we are often more sympathetic towards other with whom we can relate on some level.
Let me show you what I mean.
After a hard landing on the metal bar surrounding our trampoline, I found myself flat on my back with extreme pain surging through my right ankle. Looking down, I noticed blood seeping through my sock. One minute things were fine and dandy, and the next, I was headed to the hospital for a lengthy stay. My compound fracture required three surgeries, two months in a cast, and several months of physical therapy.
During my recovery, even the simplest of tasks like making a bed became difficult. I felt so helpless. Thankfully, many wonderful people came to my family’s aid and started caring for our needs. They cooked meals, watched our kids, and helped with some housework. It was definitely a humbling experience for me.
Hard as it was for me to accept help, I did consent to everyone’s assistance. I had to. And now, because of what I went through, I feel more empathy towards others facing similar circumstances. This is one of the reasons God allows suffering into our lives. Through the memory of our own torment, we are able to better empathize with the pain of others.
“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2)
Like Jesus, may our compassion become a catalyst for taking action, helping others in need.