Articles
Compassion
Students of the life of Christ are familiar with His compassion toward the spiritually needy, the physically hungry, the two blind men, the leper, and the widow whose son had just died. (Matt. 9:36-38; 14:13-14; 15:32-38; 20:30-34; Mark 1:40-41; Luke 7:12-17).
Also, a major character in three of His parables feels compassion. When the deeply indebted servant begged for mercy, “the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt” (Matt. 18:21-35 NASB).
When the Samaritan saw the wounded man, “he felt compassion . . .” (Luke 10:25-37). As the Prodigal Son returned, “his father saw him and felt compassion . . .” (Luke 15:1-2, 11-32). Please note:
1. The Divine Compassion. In each story the person who feels compassion represents God or Christ. This is certainly consistent with Jesus’ response to the human predicament.
2. The Expression of Compassion. In each case the divine compassion goes beyond feeling to practical action. The master cancels the debt. The Samaritan provides abundant help. The father runs and embraces his son and joyfully celebrates his return.
3. The Opposite of Compassion. In each case the compassion shown by the king/Samaritan/father stands in stark contrast to a lack of compassion on the part of others. The forgiven servant shows no mercy to a fellow slave who owes him. The priest and Levite pass on by the wounded traveler. The elder son is angered by his father’s love toward the younger son.
So what do we learn? While it is wonderful to be on the receiving end of Christ’s compassion (and we all are), it is even more wonderful when we learn to feel compassion toward others and act accordingly.
In doing so we become “imitators of God, as beloved children” (Eph. 5:1).
