Be Compassionate

“You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.” Luke 6:36

Jesus instructs us in his sermon on the mount to be compassionate. Compassion is not just feeling sorry for someone. Compassion is an aching in the heart that feels the pain of those who are hurting. Compassion is much more than sympathy, Compassion takes things one step further. Compassion begs the question, how can I alleviate their distress? What can I do to help?

In Mark 1 a man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said. Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed.

His compassion for those in his sphere of influence moved Jesus to action. Our compassion for the hurting in our world should move us to action as well. It’s not enough to just feel sorry for those in need. We may need to ask ourselves, “How can I alleviate their distress? What can I do to help?”