Here is the definition of Compassion from Wikipedia. “Compassion is an emotion that is a sense of shared suffering, most often combined with a desire to alleviate or reduce the suffering of another; to show special kindness to those who suffer. Compassion essentially arises through empathy, and is often characterized through actions, wherein a person acting with compassion will seek to aid those they feel compassionate for.”
It goes on. “Compassionate acts are generally considered those which take into account the suffering of others and attempt to alleviate that suffering as if it were one’s own. In this sense, the various forms of the Golden Rule are clearly based on the concept of compassion. Compassion differs from other forms of helpful or humane behavior in that its focus is primarily on the alleviation of suffering.”
If we ever need compassion in the world, it is now. There are more suffering and hurting people on this planet than from the beginning of time. Do we as Christians have compassion on other’s like Jesus showed to us? If we did, would the world be a different place? Would more people come to know Jesus if we did?
Matthew 9:36 shows Jesus having compassion on the crowds “because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” then he gave the solution to the problem and it involves us. Jesus told the disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
The hard part is, most of these people in the crowd are different than us. They may have tattoos, drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, swear and use drugs. They are very likely unlovable and selfish. But weren’t we in that condition before Jesus had compassion on us? He was compassionate on us when he drew us to himself, gave us the faith to say yes to him and saved us. The world is full of people that need our compassion. Would more people’s lives be changed if we were the workers Jesus said pray for to be sent?