To have compassion is to have a sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings of others (Oxford dictionary).
Jesus Christ our example is full of compassion. Psalms 86:15 says,
"But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. To be full of a thing means it is abundant and overflowing, this is what Compassion is to our God."
In scripture we have examples of what the Lord Jesus Christ did when He was moved with compassion. Lets look at a few.
Compassion Healed the sick
Matthew 14:14
"And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion towards them, and he healed their sick."
Compassion met needs
Matthew 15:32 - 37
"Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full."
What birthed this miracle was compassion.
Jesus had compassion on the multitude. Remember he saw a need and moved with compassion to meet the need. The multitude though hungry did not have to ask Jesus for food He saw their need and feed them.
Compassion raised the dead
Luke 7:12 - 16
"Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people."
Jesus was moved with compassion and raised the only son of this woman. Notice He saw her grief and was touched. She did not even need to ask Him to raise her son, His compassion moved him to action.
Compassion births prayer
Matthew 9:35
"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."
Jesus saw the condition of the multitude and requests prayer.
True compassion brings results. We need to be a people of compassion as Jesus is. Compassion should move us to pray, meet needs, heal the sick and do exploits for God. There are some things we should not need to pray about. If there is a need move and meet it, no need for praying and fasting about some matters. Just move with compassion.
As Jesus saw a need and meet it, so should we. Remember the bible says, as He is, so are we in this world (1 John 4:17).
Bisi Oladipupo
23 November 2007