How often do we think about others as we carry on with our daily tasks?  Do we stop to think about what the person next to us is thinking or going through in life? In the hustle and bustle of life, we often lose sight of what’s important and resort to focusing on our selfish needs.

Compassion is defined by dictionary.com as a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.   Let’s look at three examples Christ’s compassion.

In the first example, I would like to point out the compassion for the crowd he came into contact.  In Matthew 9:35-36, it says, 35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  The question we have to ask ourselves, is what do we feel when we see those that are poor, helpless and abused?

Next we see Jesus feel compassion for the high priest’s servant whose ear was sliced by Peter.  Even at that difficult moment, He was more concerned about the pain of that person than the fact that he was about to be arrested.  Luke 21:49-51, 49 When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. 51 But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him. In John’s Gospel, chapter 18:8-9, Jesus was more concerned about His disciples and told those that would apprehend Him, to take Him, not His apostles.

Lastly, we see Jesus feel deep compassion for Mary and all those mourning for Lazarus.  In John 11:30-33, it says 30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. 32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 35 Jesus wept.  I can picture the scene and how heavy it would have been to see everyone there sobbing, especially the sight of Mary who fell to Jesus’ feet saying, Lord if you were here, Lazarus wouldn’t have died.

In these examples, Jesus didn’t solely possess compassion and leave it at that, on the contrary, He took action to heal, provide, etc.  The Good Samaritan’s parable is a great example for us that when we see someone in need, we should take the initiative to help. Luke 10: 30-35 – 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

The Bible has a few things to say concerning compassion.  First, in John 15:12, Jesus says that “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you”. Next, in Matthew 5:46-48, Jesus says 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Based on the aforementioned scriptures, we understand that our love should extend beyond those in our close circle.  We are not called to simply love those that love us, instead we are to love everyone, even those that hate us and persecute us.  Christ’s objective is to help us go beyond our limited understanding of love and this tit for tat mentality.  It’s a common view held by many in today’s society, in addition to a “what’s in it for me mentality”.  We often find ourselves helping those that will eventually help us.  This is the exact motive that Jesus wants us to avoid.

For the life of the Christian, we know that Jesus abides in us, therefore, we must walk in His way as mentioned in 1 John 2:6 (whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked).  Furthermore, Paul explains this topic clearly in Ephesians 2:10 when he says “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.  This logic then takes us to the final point in Matthew 5:16.  Jesus says, “in the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven”.

What’s the take away from these verses?  Since Jesus abides in us, and we in Him (1 John 4:13), we must live according to His ways, not ours.  As a result, we must help others, especially those that are suffering.  As we rapidly approach the Christmas holiday season, let’s not lose tract of our true focus.  While we wrap gifts to friends and family, let’s also dedicate a gift or two to the less fortunate.  In all that you do, may your actions give glory to Him.