the basic message # E56
Matthew 15:32
Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”
What is compassion? Do you have any? I’m learning that compassion isn’t a popular word in our society. Why? I think the answer is simple: Compassion and selfishness are completely incompatible. We Americans are a blessed people. But instead of thanking God for our blessings and sharing our blessings, we want to hoard them. Our favorite pastime in America is complaining about paying taxes. While I’m not crazy about paying tax, I do realize that God has blessed me with a fair wage and the necessities of life. Compared to many of my co-workers, I live like a pauper, but I know that I have everything I need and then some. Perhaps my tax money will go to someone sitting on their behind, but on the other hand, it might just as well go to someone who is down on their luck, and just can’t seem to get a break. It’s called compassion. Let’s see what else Jesus said about compassion:
Matthew 9:36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them…..Matthew 14:14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them…..Matthew 15:32 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people….” Matthew 20:34 Jesus had compassion on them….
Jesus never “checked-out” needy people. Nope, Jesus simply had compassion on them. Selfishness will overcome compassion every time if the two confront each other without Christ’s influence. We can always find a reason not to help someone. Isn’t a Christian supposed to imitate Christ?
Mark 1:41-42
Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.
Who are the “unclean” in our society? Drunks, junkies, AIDS victims, welfare recipients, and many others. Did Jesus ask the leper “Give me your complete medical records so I can be sure you didn’t contribute to the problem”? Nope, Jesus just healed him. Compassion is following your heart before your head gets in the way. I have some people in my church that won’t help a needy household if the parents smoke. “They’re just blowing good money on cigarettes. If they cleaned up their act, they’d have money.” I agree, with one major objection: the little children suffering in that household have no control over their parent’s bad habits. If God withheld blessings from each of us who have bad habits, we’d all be sunk. And so, many “Good Christians” pass by the leper without helping. When is the last time you committed a random act of kindness? If I’m socking money away in a retirement fund while a little child is starving in America, am I pleasing my Heavenly Boss?
James 5:11
The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
Are we?