Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- May 27, 2010
“When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” Matthew 14:14
Compelling compassion comes from a heart captured by Christ. It is the natural application of those who love the Lord. Love loves the objects of affection of its lover—Jesus loves the unlovely. The compassion of Christ not only feels for the pitiful plight of hurting people—it helps. Compassion is the outcome of authentic and engaging faith.
“In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old” (Isaiah 63:9).
In solitude we are loved by our Savior, so when we return to society we can love. Because of Christ’s great compassion in our life, we are compelled to be compassionate. We were lost, but now we are found. We were blind, but now we see. We were sorrowful, but now we are joyful. We were condemned, but now we are redeemed. We were children of the devil, but now we are children of the Most High. Compassion loves.
Compelling compassion for you may mean giving weekend relief of a foster home parent, or giving the caregiver of an adult handicapped person a break. The special needs community has a compelling need for compassion, but they sit waiting for one of us to come by. The elderly who are losing their faculties or who have lost their mind due to Alzheimer’s—need a tender touch, a soothing smile and a kind word. Your sympathy from your Savior is significant, so use it liberally. Compassion from a Christian points people to Christ in a compelling fashion.
“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).
It’s compassion, not criticism that draws loved ones to the Lord. Your son or daughter, brother or sister, or parent may be in the far country of faithlessness. Do they need you to point our what is painfully obvious? Or do they need your healing touch for their hurting heart? At work is the severance package for the departing employee generous or stingy? Prescribe compassion in significant doses and watch God work in wonderful ways.
“The Lord gave them food from heaven in abundance. He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed through the desert like a river. For he remembered his holy promise”(Psalm 105:40-42).
What are the depths of Christ’s compassion toward me? To whom do I need to show compelling compassion?
Related Readings: Psalm 86:15; Lamentations 3:21-23; Matthew 9:36; 1 Peter 3:8
