Compassion​ Makes a Difference

Matthew 9:35-38, And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Matthew 14:14, And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

 Jude 1:22, And of some have compassion, making a difference:

Even the most casual study of the four Gospels will clearly reveal that the Lord Jesus was filled with compassion, not only for the spiritual needs of those around him but the physical needs as well. In fact, an argument could be made, by reading the Gospels, that Jesus spent as much time, if not more time, loving, serving, and meeting the physical needs of those around him as He did the spiritual needs.

Now, don’t get me wrong the spiritual needs of man are far more important than the physical needs of man. Yet, it at least it appears that Jesus thought they were both important. In fact, very important!

I am guessing that they both should be important to those of us who claim to be His followers.  I have a missionary friend and fellow-laborer who occasionally posts these following words as a reminder for us all:

One of the things that differentiated Jesus from the Pharisees was His LOVE and COMPASSION for others. The first thing the world must see in us, as Christians, is not our “standards” or our “position” on the issues of the day. The first thing they must see is the LOVE and COMPASSION of Christ that flows through us to those around us.  

So much truth in that one paragraph!

I’m just wondering, is this LOVE and COMPASSION the first thing much of the world sees when they look upon our lives? Is this the first thing they think about when they hear our words? Is this the first thing that comes to their mind when they read our posts?

Just thinking out loud!

I have another friend, an Evangelist in the States, who told me a few years ago, “We see very little, if any, compassion in our independent Baptist churches today!” Keep in mind, this is a good and godly man, a faithful servant of the Lord, who is in one or two different Baptist churches every week. He’s been doing this for about 15 years now!

LITTLE, IF ANY, COMPASSION?

I’m just wondering if our hearts have become cold, calloused, and carnal. Have we closed our eyes to the hurt around us?

Not sure about you, but when I think about the many great men and women of the past, the ones who really made a difference, in almost every case, it wasn’t what they believed that we remember, it’s how they lived, loved, and served. And, as we have mentioned in recent posts, especially how they loved and served “the least of these.”

I don’t know about you, but I want to make a lasting difference in the lives of others. I want to make an eternal investment in the lives of others. I want to love like Jesus loved. I want to serve like Jesus served and those whom Jesus served. I so desperately want to have my heart filled with the compassion of Christ!

Just Reflecting on the Compassion of Christ!