“The Lord is very compassionate.” James 5:11 NKJV
WHEN IT comes to Christlike compassion, the Bible teaches us two more things. Compassion: (1) Relates to the needs of others. Paul writes, “Jesus…This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do” (Hebrews 4:14-15 NLT). Jesus understands—how comforting! Whatever situation, challenge, or adversity we find ourselves in, Jesus is saying, “I can relate. I’ve been there.” Pressure? Rejection? Pain? Temptation? Slander? Lies? False accusations? He understands because He’s been there. (2) Responds to the needs of others. It’s not enough just to recognize and relate to the needs of others. You’ve been called to action on a practical level; otherwise, your compassion is meaningless. Jesus responded to sick people with healing, to hungry people with food, and to lost people with the good news of the Gospel. Compassion has no limits. It sponsors a hungry child, helps change a tire for someone stranded on the side of the road, brings a meal to someone who’s grieving, and listens patiently to someone who needs a friend. Compassion gets its hands dirty; it writes checks; it sacrifices its own agenda, schedule, desires, and dreams to meet the needs of another. The Bible says: “God anointed Jesus…with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38 NKJV). What’s your main concern in life—looking good or doing good? If you want to be more like Jesus, you already know the answer to that question!
Bible In A Year: Isa 53:1-12, Acts 8:26-40
