Matthew 20:34 "So Jesus had compassion on them..."
We live in a very self-centered, self-glorifying age. Pride seems to be encouraged on
every hand, instead of being shunned for the sin it is. This generation is a callused and
selfish one...not a very nice commentary on the world we live in.
A couple of months ago I saw a short video about this little two year old girl. I'm not
sure which country this was in, but Korea seems to come to my mind. She was on a
busy street alone and was hit by a vehicle. She lay by the side of the road crying, when
another vehicle hit her. She continued to cry in fear and pain while people walked by.
Some looked, but no one stopped to help this little child. I was in tears seeing the total
disregard for a tiny life. Yet this cold disregard for others is seemingly the norm in every
society today. No one cares about anyone else, its a "me, me, me" society. People think
that if they want it, it should be theirs; if they want to do it, by all means go ahead! No
thought or care is given to whom is hurt in this all-compelling need to excel...so sad!
However, God tells us in Isaiah 5:21 "Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes,
and prudent in their own sight!" This type of mindset, which seems to permeate this
world is not blessed by God.
One thing that Jesus was known for was His compassion for the multitudes. Over and
over in the Gospels we read the words, "He had compassion..." 41 times in the New
Testament this word, "compassion" is used. Jesus would go out of His way when He
knew that someone needed Him. A few times the phrase is used, "He was moved with
compassion..." This terminology has the connotation of immediate precise action. True
Godly compassion produces action. It is a form of love that fuels a reaction of kindness
and mercy. How lacking our society is in true compassion one for the other.
As a child of God we should be reflecting to others the characteristics of the Lord Jesus
Christ. As we grow in Him, deepen in our knowledge of Him, we should be producing in
our lives His traits. The word "Christian", means "Christ-like". We should be like
Christ. Compassion is not a "normal" human trait, in fact it is the opposite of what we
were talking about earlier. We were all born sinners, we all have pride rooted in our
hearts. We need by the help and Grace of God, to nurture compassion in our lives.
Something that is not used will grow unresponsive and cold.
Our prayer as we grow deeper and deeper into fellowship and love with our Lord Jesus,
and desire to be more like Him, should be to reflect His love and compassion to those
around us.
Zechariah 7:9 "Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment,
and shew mercy and compassion every man to his brother."
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