Make Room for Compassion
When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Matthew 9:36-37 (NIV)
I confess there are people for whom I have very little tolerance. People who have bad attitudes, gossip and waste opportunities that are right in front of them. The problem with me is that I usually only see their behavior, and I get frustrated at their actions. The problem is I’m only seeing what’s on the surface. I find it interesting that up to 90% of an iceberg is underwater, meaning only 10% is seen. Often, we only see a small glimpse of someone because most of what is driving them is some pain, heartache or problem that’s under the surface. Jesus saw this, and it gave Him compassion for those He saw. I’m not excusing bad behavior, but I am saying that part of our discipleship to Jesus is we must learn to see people and not just the problem because when you see people, you have compassion.
Think about it like this: there’s always a need behind the deed. If you only deal with the deed, you aren’t dealing with the deeper problem, the need. I find it’s messier to be moved by compassion. I find it more costly to be driven by compassion. Think of the good Samaritan who could have said, this guy got himself into the circumstance. He was traveling at the wrong time. In addition, Jews and Samaritans hated each other. Think of the animosity between Israel and Palestine right now. Jesus is saying that it would be like an Israeli helping a Hamas terrorist. These two groups despised each other. Yet, the Samaritan wasn’t moved by truth or justice. Instead, he was moved by compassion. This is the way of Jesus. We can’t just see people’s actions, deeds or behavior. We have to look deeper and see their needs. We must slow down and ask God to give us a heart like His.
When Jesus saw people, He was moved by compassion. Sometimes, I fear that in the church, we’re moved by obligation or duty, but is that a potent enough force to keep us loving and serving our hurting world? We need something profound and more powerful. We need compassion that flows from the Spirit to us. Jesus saw the people and saw their need for a shepherd, for a provider, for direction, and this moved Him with compassion. If we’re ever going to reach a lost and lonely world, we must be people of compassion. We need God to break our hearts for people. We need a revival of compassion.
Application: Today, look at people’s needs behind their deeds and pray for them.
Prayer: Ask the Spirit to move you compassionately towards those around you. Ask if there’s anyone in your life He wants you to have greater compassion for. Give Him your frustration, anger and sense of justice, and ask Him to move your heart toward them.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?