In my work as a minister I witness many people crying on a weekly basis which reflects the joys and sadness’s of their various life situations and seasons spent together. In this insight I want to share with you the topic of compassion as found in the bible and at work within community.
When we fully embrace compassion, it will change the way we live and see the world around us. In Matthew 9 v 35 – 38 we find Jesus travelling to many local towns and villages speaking and sharing the gospel of God’s redeeming love which manifested itself in the healing of many who suffered from physical sickness and felt generally bruised and hurt.
When Jesus looked at people he was full of compassion for each one and carried a ‘heart that was broken,’ feeling sorry for them because they were confused and aimless just like a sheep without the care of a shepherd. Jesus saw the potential for all to be saved, healed and comforted just like a harvest that is ready to be reaped.
He recognised that there were only a handful of workers to reap it so encouraged the disciples to kneel and pray for harvest hands to complete the task before them. Jesus had a spectacular healing ministry that revealed a heart of love, pity and compassion for many sad and vulnerable people as exampled in Mt 20 v 29 – 34.
In 2014 I travelled to Israel on a pilgrimage and entered the Dominus Flevit church (cry of the Lord, tear drop church) around where Jesus wept with compassion for that great city of Jerusalem that was full of hurt, sickness and sin. Luke 19 v 41 – 42 
To be compassionate, as found in the Greek, is to ‘mourn, lament and show grief.’ In Latin ‘compati’ means to ‘suffer with’ and to embrace someone else’s heartbreak as your own. To ‘comati’ is to feel the suffering of a person and in Jesus we have an example of a ‘suffering servant’ who died on the cross to take away our sin and bring healing and salvation for everyone.
A further dictionary definition of compassion is to have a ‘sympathetic pity’ and a concern for the suffering and misfortunes of others and is different from empathy or altruism. It is said of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the influential theologian of the last century, that “we must learn to recognise people less in the light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer.”
In accommodating compassion as a noun, we are to feel pity, sympathy and understanding for another who is suffering. A compassionate person shows kindness and empathy for all people and acts in a way that makes a difference to those who are suffering just like a nurse, counsellor, minister, fireman or family member.
Most of the world’s religious traditions uphold the value of being compassionate and many humanistic philosophies see it as a tool for wellbeing and positivity. Within such traditions and views there are a number of ways to enhance our ability to be compassionate. 1 To ensure an acceptance from the divine and for ourselves. 2 To listen carefully to the concerns of people we are talking to. 3 To show compassion in practical terms without cost and prejudice. 4 To share unsolicited kindness. 5 To have an attitude of gratitude, living in the moment. 6 Generally speaking, if we are not compassionate to ourselves then we will not be compassionate to others.
It is important to be freed from self-centeredness, pity and jealousy. Then as we feel a sense of forgiveness where required, we can from a position of strength help people who are suffering. This contrasts to being so much consumed with our own concerns that we ignore and walk past those who are suffering around us as reminded in the story of the Good Samaritan. Luke 10 v 25 – 37
At this point we may consider some verses of scripture that refer to compassion.
In Psalm 103 v 13 we are reminded that just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.
Then in Isaiah 49 v 15 – 16 we are reminded that a mother will not forget her child or lack compassion for it. In Isaiah 30 v 18, the Lord longs to be gracious to us and show us his compassion. Lamentations 3 v 22 – 23 reminds us of God’s love which does not consume us, for his compassions never fail and they are renewed every morning. n Zachariah 7 v 9 – 10 we are encouraged to exercise justice, show mercy and compassion to one another. We should not oppress the vulnerable and those we dislike.
God our heavenly Father had compassion for Israel and in the course of time sent his only son Jesus to become a sacrifice, to atone for all the sin and suffering of the world so that we may be healed and saved, Hallelujah!
Compassion can be aligned with the fruits of the Holy Spirit as found in Galatians 5 v 22 – 23. It is like a spiritual garment which we can wear as referenced in Colossians 3 v 12 alongside kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. In 1 Peter 3 v 8 it says that we should be like minded, sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.
To help our understanding and use of compassion may we consider a Contrast Chart to see how actively compassionate we are? 1 In being forgiven, are you able to forgive those who transgress against you? 2 Are you freed from self-pity, which enables you to show unconditional love and positive regard without prejudice? 3 Are you grateful for all that you have received from your heavenly Father and those that love you? Are you freely sharing that love and compassion on a daily basis?
In conclusion may you ‘clothe yourself’ with the fruits of the spirit alongside those natural gifts, so as to be as compassionate as you can to those who are suffering and sad in this beautiful yet challenging world.
Selah (pause to think calmly on what has just been read)
Graham
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