Christian Living

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Compassion begins as a mental realization which is followed by a form of action. It is a recognition of someone’s situation in which there is a degree of urgency. It is a feeling of sympathy and pity that leads to an inner yearning to respond to another’s crisis. Compassion is a compelling urge to get involved. It is the bringing of our resources to answer the call of the hurting individual. If there is no action from the observer, compassion fails to be defined.

After Jesus’ rejection from the Synagogues, His pulpit became whatever was available. He would teach from boats, fields, mountains and houses. His congregation grew from hundreds to thousands. People would travel many miles to hear this great teacher share God’s message of salvation and hope. During a three day evangelistic crusade, over 4,000 were in attendance. At the end of the crusade Jesus was moved with compassion and action followed. What He realized was that many had not eaten during these meetings. The people were so eager and hungry for His word, that the desire for food was secondary. Jesus recognized their need which then led Him to action. He knew if He ended the Crusade and sent them away, many would “faint” along the way. (Mark 8:1-9) He voiced His concern with His Disciples and they responded with an attitude of non commitment, by assuming there was nothing they could do. (v.4) Compassion was not a consideration. They saw the problem, but offered no positive response to the situation. Jesus cut through their negative reasoning and simply asked them how many loaves of bread they had. They responded by stating that they had 7 loaves and a “few little fish.” (Matthew 15:34) Jesus had the multitude sit down and then proceeded to offer a blessing over the loaves and fishes. The Disciples became waiters and served the miracle lunch to the hungry thousands. After everyone had eaten the Disciples cleaned up after them and were amazed at how much was left over. It took seven baskets to contain the food that was not eaten. (v.8) Jesus then dismissed the multitude. Four thousand left the crusade filled both spiritually and physically.

Every day we face situations that challenge us to respond either mentally, physically or spiritually. How we react will determine the validity of our Christian character. It is one thing to acknowledge a crisis situation, but it is an entirely different thing to do something about it. Compassion is an important aspect of our faith, an offspring of love; in fact, compassion cannot be implemented without love. If we do not show love, we become just noise makers. (I Corinthians 13:1) On that day in the wilderness of Galilee, Jesus challenged His Disciples to action. (v 5) Could it be that His evangelistic team had brought food for themselves with no thought how they might be called on to meet the physical needs of others? I wonder how many of us fail to look at our resources and how they might be shared with others. Why is it we minimize our ability to assist others in a crisis? When it comes to sharing our “green” with others, we attempt to minimize its potential affect. “…From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? (Mark 8: 4) God can always multiply our minimal giving to meet the needs of many, if we will just give what we have. Compassionate action comes in many different forms. We must be ready with whatever we have to help those who may not be able to help themselves. The seven baskets became an embarrassment to the Disciples, who doubted that their few loaves could have fed so many. We must never doubt God’s ability to take loaves and make baskets of abundance. When it was all said and done, the Disciples must have felt ashamed of their negative attitude in responding to Jesus’ compassionate action..

Jesus was always cognizant of people and their needs. He responded with as a result of compassion, to the two blind men, the leper, the demoniac, and the widow’s son, to mention just a few. I wonder what our resume will show when we stand before the Lord to give account of our acts of compassion?

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