The Cost of Compassion
by Joan Vetter
At this time, all eyes and ears are on the terrible crisis in Haiti. How do we live a life of godly compassion for the earthquake victims in Haiti as well as other situations? Let's ask Jesus by going to the scripture where He reveals His heart of compassion and use that for an example of what He expects of His followers.
First, as Jesus was preaching, teaching and healing every sickness and every disease among the people, he saw the multitudes and He was moved with COMPASSION for them because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, (we who follow Him), "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." (Matthew 9:35-38) Thus, first of all we can surely pray for laborers to minister both to the spiritual needs of the people in Haiti as well as the physical needs. Most of us can't go ourselves, but we can donate to an organization we trust.
Of course we are told in James 2:15-16 that if a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food we're not to just say God bless you, but we are to give them what they need. It's so easy to rationalize this and say we can't help the whole world and just choose not to do anything. However the Lord guides us by His Holy Spirit to show us specifically where we are to give. We can fall into a ditch on either side - either feeling overwhelmed and constantly condemned that we are not doing enough or hardening our hearts and failing to recognize who we are to reach out to.
Another place where we learn of the compassion of Jesus is in Matthew 18:21-35 where Peter asked Jesus how often he should forgive someone. He told the story of a king who was settling accounts with his servants. One owed him a large amount of money. Since he was not able to pay, the master commanded that he be sold, but he fell down before him and cried out for the Master to have patience with him. His master was moved with COMPASSION, and forgave his debt. But that servant went after someone who owed him far less, demanding violently that he pay up. When the Master discovered this, he called him a wicked servant, reminding him that he should have shown COMPASSION even as the Master had shown him COMPASSION.
In Luke 7:13 Jesus meets a widow who is about to bury her only son. We are told the Lord had COMPASSION on her and raised her son from the dead. This is not something that happens very often, but it does still happen today.
One of my favorite stories in the Bible is Luke 15:11-32. We are told of a father with two sons. One demanded his inheritance and took off. He spent all his money and ended up feeding pigs. Something of interest here are the words "No one gave him anything." Perhaps sometimes the mercy of the Lord is to have people withhold help when we are away from where we need to be. Right after this we are told that "he came to himself" by remembering even his father's hired servants have plenty of food. He decided to return to his father and tell him that he was willing to be as a hired servant. The amazing grace of God is revealed in his return. His father saw him a great way off, which means he had been looking and waiting every day because of his love for the son. When his father saw him he had COMPASSION and ran, fell on his neck and kissed him. That son was restored in full measure as a blessed member of the family. In contrast, the other son sulked at the party given for his brother.
Finally, Peter exhorts us: "Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be COMPASSIONATE, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless - that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing." (1 Pet. 3:8,9 - The Message Bible)
