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One of the greatest qualities of Deity is compassion. We find that quality in the life of Jesus. The Son of God truly had compassion for others. We define compassion as having a sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others. It was compassion that motivated Jesus to go out of his way to relieve the physical, mental, and emotional pains of mankind. Through His compassion, Jesus was concerned with the emotional aspects of the suffering of men. The New Testament gives us several examples of His compassion for others.

In Mark 9:14-27, Jesus healed a man possessed with a dumb (mute) spirit. In Mark 1:40-45, Jesus healed a man that suffered with leprosy. According to John 4:39-42, we see His compassion as he spent time with the Samaritans, a group of people that other Jews looked down upon. He not only spent time with Samaritans calling them to repentance, but He could also be seen eating with the Publicans and Sinners which infuriated the Jews of His day (Luke 5:27-32). In John 9:35-41, Jesus healed a man blind from birth, that same man was cast out of the synagogue by his own people for telling the truth. Jesus took time to cast demons out of the man possessed in (Mark 5:1-19). We learn in Luke 7:11-17, that Jesus raised a widow’s son that had died. Then Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead according to (John 11-44). Throughout His ministry, Jesus spent much time tending to the needs of his fellow men. The compassion of Jesus is overwhelming and awesome when we consider what great power it took to do the things He did.

While the age of the miraculous has come to an end (2 Corinthians 13), and we cannot perform miracles like Jesus did, we still have an obligation to show compassion to others. We may not be able to heal the physically or mentally sick, but we do have something to offer people who suffer from sin (Acts 3:6). People who suffer from sin in their lives are in worse condition than those who Jesus healed of their physical infirmities. Regardless of where we go in our daily lives, we encounter people who are lost in their sins. The question we should ask is do we have the compassion we ought to have to help the needs of their souls? As we examine our daily lives, we should recall those we have invited to get to know Jesus. It is sad but true that we live in a world where people show open compassion for an animal in need, but few have compassion for those lost in their sins.

The truest form of compassion that can be exhibited is when a Christian tries to help others that are lost in their sins to come to Jesus (1 Peter 3:8-12). The world should be seen by Christians as friends in need of salvation. We should show them compassionate care by offering to study with them and guiding them to Jesus and the offer of Salvation that is in His name.

If you are not a Christian, Jesus, the Lord of compassion, is ready and willing to forgive you of your sins (Matthew 11:28-29, Acts 2:37-39). I want to encourage you to become a Christian so you can take advantage of the compassion of Jesus. If you need help understanding the offer of salvation, if you would like to study the Bible, please let us know by calling (423) 737-2287.
(Tony Hoss is minister of the Centerview Church of Christ, Elizabethton)