Matthew 9:35-38 records one of the times when Jesus was moved with compassion. It records the fact that as He went through the towns and villages He saw the crowds of people and had "compassion on them, for they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (verse 36) This account reveals that Christlike compassion involves far more than emotion. Jesus exhibits other qualities which awakened compassion in Him. We must possess these qualities if we are to ever possess His compassion.
Jesus went to the towns and villages. He went out to the people. We have the concept that people are going to come to us. It is rare when they do. Many people are totally unaware of their need and therefore do not seek. Others are deceived into believing they have no need for God and therefore do not search. Therefore, just like Jesus, we must go to the people Going to them does not mean that we involve ourselves in sinful lifestyles. Nor does mean compromising our holy values and convictions. By the power of God's abiding Spirit we can live holy lives in the world. Our separateness from the world is not seclusion. It is a separation of the heart; a circumcision of the heart. It is easier to avoid the crowds. It is more comfortable to stay huddled with "our own kind." But we must not. For, Christlike compassion requires the Christlike posture of going to the people.
Jesus saw the people! He saw them as they really were, "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Two key words here are "when" and "saw." When Jesus saw the crowds He had compassion on them. He could have looked the other way. He could have been focused upon His own needs and agenda. But, He didn't! He looked at them! So must we. We cannot afford to allow our needs, goals and agendas to blind us to others. We cannot allow the apparent affluence and comfort of nonbelieving neighbors to conceal their real state. We cannot allow outward appearances mask their desperate plight. Christlike sight looks at people and is not deceived by the appearances. It recognizes the desperate need of the people's need of a Savior and Shepherd! Christlike compassion requires Christlike sight.
When He saw the crowds He had compassion on them. Love and compassion are inextricably connected. One who does not love cannot have compassion. One who does not have Christlike love remains self-consumed and compassionless. Divine love frees us to be compassionate. It allows our hearts to be open to others. It engenders a heart able to feel with others. Christlike love gives freely without envy, prejudice, or ulterior motives, desiring God's best for its object.
Compassion is not pity. It is much deeper that sympathy. Compassion, much like empathy, feels with the other. It embraces the pain, brokenness, and lostness of the people. It weeps over their plight, just like Jesus did over Jerusalem. Compassion motivates - no propels us into action. Read the accounts where Jesus' compassion is identified. In each case He acts - preached, taught, healed, fed, cleansed... Christlike compassion will not allow its possessor to be idle. Christlike compassion compels us!
Our struggle with compassion may stem from our suppressing the Christlike posture, sight and love we have through His abiding Spirit. Jesus has given us His very nature and mind. It is our responsibility, by His grace, to nurture and strengthen them through use. Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, let us clothe ourselves with compassion. (Colossians 3:12)
Keep Close To Jesus
Pastor Gerry