"Compassion." It's a word we hear often, but what does it truly mean? It's more than just feeling bad for someone. The very root of the word, from two Latin words meaning "suffer" and "with," tells us that. To show compassion is to literally suffer with someone, to step into their shoes and become deeply involved in their pain.
This isn't some theoretical idea or a vague sentiment. True compassion is about action. It's not enough to think about someone's suffering or even to express pity. We are called to do something. As the New Dictionary of Christian Ethics puts it, a compassionate response requires us to be moved, to act to relieve immediate suffering, and then to work towards correcting the underlying issues that caused it.
Compassion has two key parts: emotion and action. The emotion sparks the desire to help, but it's the act of will – the decision to actively alleviate that suffering – that defines true compassion.
Real Compassion Costs Us Something
This is where it gets uncomfortable, isn't it? In our culture, we often prefer "drive-by compassion." We're willing to help if it's easy, convenient, and doesn't disrupt our lives too much. But real compassion always comes at a price. It demands sacrifice.
Think about the Good Samaritan in Luke 10. Jesus tells a compelling story about a Samaritan, someone who would typically be an enemy to the Jewish man left for dead by the roadside. Yet, this Samaritan didn't just feel sorry for him. He stopped, bandaged his wounds, took him to an inn, and paid for his care for two days out of his own pocket.
Luke 10:30-35 NIV[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 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.’
Who does that? Who spends two days' wages on a complete stranger, especially one from a group that often harbored animosity? That's the cost of true compassion.
Jesus' Life: The Ultimate Example of Compassion
Jesus' entire life was a living testament to compassion. He left the comforts of heaven to live a humble life, stating He had "no place to lay his head".
Matthew 8:20 NIV Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
He intentionally sought out the outcast, becoming a "friend of tax collectors and sinners", people society had deemed unworthy.
Matthew 11:19 NIV [19] The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’...
He constantly showed compassion for the crowds who followed Him – those who were "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd".
Matthew 9:35-38 NIV [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. [37] Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. [38] Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (emphasis mine).
Even when seeking solitude after the tragic death of John the Baptist, He saw the desperation of the crowds and responded with compassion, healing their sick and miraculously feeding thousands.
Matthew 14:13-21 NIV [13] When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. [14] When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. [15] As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” [16] Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” [17] “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. [18] “Bring them here to me,” he said. [19] And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. [20] They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. [21] The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
He even disregarded societal norms and His own safety to touch lepers, healing them with a simple word and a willing heart.
Mark 1:40-42 NIV [40] A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” [41] Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” [42] Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.
This isn't some theoretical idea or a vague sentiment. True compassion is about action. It's not enough to think about someone's suffering or even to express pity. We are called to do something. As the New Dictionary of Christian Ethics puts it, a compassionate response requires us to be moved, to act to relieve immediate suffering, and then to work towards correcting the underlying issues that caused it.
Compassion has two key parts: emotion and action. The emotion sparks the desire to help, but it's the act of will – the decision to actively alleviate that suffering – that defines true compassion.
Real Compassion Costs Us Something
This is where it gets uncomfortable, isn't it? In our culture, we often prefer "drive-by compassion." We're willing to help if it's easy, convenient, and doesn't disrupt our lives too much. But real compassion always comes at a price. It demands sacrifice.
Think about the Good Samaritan in Luke 10. Jesus tells a compelling story about a Samaritan, someone who would typically be an enemy to the Jewish man left for dead by the roadside. Yet, this Samaritan didn't just feel sorry for him. He stopped, bandaged his wounds, took him to an inn, and paid for his care for two days out of his own pocket.
Luke 10:30-35 NIV[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 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.’
Who does that? Who spends two days' wages on a complete stranger, especially one from a group that often harbored animosity? That's the cost of true compassion.
Jesus' Life: The Ultimate Example of Compassion
Jesus' entire life was a living testament to compassion. He left the comforts of heaven to live a humble life, stating He had "no place to lay his head".
Matthew 8:20 NIV Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
He intentionally sought out the outcast, becoming a "friend of tax collectors and sinners", people society had deemed unworthy.
Matthew 11:19 NIV [19] The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’...
He constantly showed compassion for the crowds who followed Him – those who were "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd".
Matthew 9:35-38 NIV [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. [37] Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. [38] Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (emphasis mine).
Even when seeking solitude after the tragic death of John the Baptist, He saw the desperation of the crowds and responded with compassion, healing their sick and miraculously feeding thousands.
Matthew 14:13-21 NIV [13] When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. [14] When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. [15] As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” [16] Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” [17] “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. [18] “Bring them here to me,” he said. [19] And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. [20] They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. [21] The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
He even disregarded societal norms and His own safety to touch lepers, healing them with a simple word and a willing heart.
Mark 1:40-42 NIV [40] A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” [41] Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” [42] Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.
Compassion for Sinners
Jesus' compassion wasn't limited to physical needs. He extended it to those burdened by sin and societal judgment. When He dined with Matthew, a hated tax collector, and other "sinners," the Pharisees questioned Him. His response was profound: "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick... For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners".
Matthew 9:10-13 NIV [10] While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. [11] When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” [12] On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. [13] But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
And remember the woman caught in adultery? When the Pharisees brought her to Him, ready to condemn, Jesus responded not with judgment, but with radical compassion: "Neither do I condemn you... Go now and leave your life of sin".
John 8:2-11 NIV [2] At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. [3] The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group [4] and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. [5] In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” [6] They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. [7] When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” [8] Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. [9] At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. [10] Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” [11] “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (emphasis mine)
Jesus' Declaration of Compassion
Jesus brought hope where there was despair, forgiveness where there was guilt, freedom where there was oppression, healing where there was sickness, and food where there was hunger. His compassion addressed both spiritual and social problems.
Luke 4:16-21 NIV [16] He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, [17] and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: [18] “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, [19] to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” [20] Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. [21] He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
So, What About Us?
As followers of Jesus, we are challenged to embody this same compassion and mercy. Because true compassion demands action. To claim we care, but then to do nothing, is to not care at all. When we see others in need, it should stir something deep within us. And when that compassion takes hold, we are called to act, in the name of Jesus.
1 John 4:11-12 NIV [11] Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. [12] No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in u
Jesus' compassion wasn't limited to physical needs. He extended it to those burdened by sin and societal judgment. When He dined with Matthew, a hated tax collector, and other "sinners," the Pharisees questioned Him. His response was profound: "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick... For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners".
Matthew 9:10-13 NIV [10] While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. [11] When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” [12] On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. [13] But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
And remember the woman caught in adultery? When the Pharisees brought her to Him, ready to condemn, Jesus responded not with judgment, but with radical compassion: "Neither do I condemn you... Go now and leave your life of sin".
John 8:2-11 NIV [2] At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. [3] The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group [4] and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. [5] In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” [6] They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. [7] When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” [8] Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. [9] At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. [10] Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” [11] “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (emphasis mine)
Jesus' Declaration of Compassion
Jesus brought hope where there was despair, forgiveness where there was guilt, freedom where there was oppression, healing where there was sickness, and food where there was hunger. His compassion addressed both spiritual and social problems.
Luke 4:16-21 NIV [16] He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, [17] and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: [18] “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, [19] to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” [20] Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. [21] He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
So, What About Us?
As followers of Jesus, we are challenged to embody this same compassion and mercy. Because true compassion demands action. To claim we care, but then to do nothing, is to not care at all. When we see others in need, it should stir something deep within us. And when that compassion takes hold, we are called to act, in the name of Jesus.
1 John 4:11-12 NIV [11] Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. [12] No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in u
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