Jesus uses the parable of the Good Samaritan to answer the question, “Who is my neighbor?” In the parable, Jesus speaks of a man who was robbed, beaten, and left for dead. There are three people who come upon the man in his troubled condition. The third, the Samaritan, responds to the man’s need with mercy and compassion, as he bandages his wounds and takes him for further treatment. In response to Jesus’ question, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man…?” the expert in the law replies, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Paul in Colossians 3:12 invites us to dress in the wardrobe God picked out for us, which includes compassion. Compassion, as defined in Merriam-Websters Dictionary is, “sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it.” Compassion is an attribute that is more than a feeling. It may begin with a feeling, but it goes beyond the feeling to a place of action where we seek to meet the need of the person.
When we see someone who is hurting, in need, or is struggling with daily life, we have a choice: continue our tasks for the day or respond to their need. It is easy in our busy lives to miss people because we are headed to the next appointment, engrossed in our technology, or too tired to respond.
In Psalm 86:15 we read, “But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.” The God who we serve and who invites us into a relationship where we mature in our relationship, these godly attributes grow in us. Where once we were focused on our limitations or our busyness, in Christ we begin to look outside of ourselves considering the needs of others. This does not mean we will be able to solve everyone’s problems or be able to respond to every need; yet, our hearts are in tune with the compassionate heart of God at work in our lives.
As we are clothed with compassion, there will be times we will need to step out of our normal way of living. We may have to go places where we are uncomfortable or pick up a burden with the person which may cost us something: time, money, and/or energy. Yet, as we are dressed in the wardrobe God has picked out for us, our compassion will become less an intellectual assent and will become a heart action because we see beyond the struggle and see the person who needs our help.
How is God calling us to be compassionate? How are we being called to go beyond a feeling to an action that seeks to help people?
Prayer: Lord, I want to be more compassionate in my life. When I see someone in need, give me the direction of how I might help. Whether it is through my own actions or through the action of helping them find the person or group who can help them, give me the heart of compassion. In Jesus’ name. Amen.