MOVED WITH COMPASSION

"But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.” - Matthew 9:36

On more than occasion, the Bible states that Jesus was moved with compassion. Jesus was moved with compassion as He saw multitudes who needed spiritual leadership. On another occasion, He had compassion as saw great human suffering and healed the sick. Yet again, He was moved with compassion for just one man as He healed a leper.

What has happened to the Church's compassion? When was the last time you were moved with compassion? If we claim to be Christians, shouldn't we be growing more and more like Him? These days, professing Christians would rather argue over political views rather than minister to others. 

The greatest commandment is to love God, and the second greatest commandment is to love others as yourself. Let me say candidly that American Christians are failing miserably at both.

I am convinced that if Jesus were walking the streets of America, He wouldn't waste His time by going to Capitol Hill or Wall Street. I am convinced He would minister among the homeless, children's hospitals and the local mission hall. During His earthly ministry, Jesus had a heart for people, especially those that society had rejected. Society shunned the lepers, but Jesus ministered to them. Society was heartless toward the disabled, but Jesus healed them. Society rejected those who had publicly sinned, but Jesus offered grace and mercy to repentant souls.

As we get closer to Christmas, Americans tend to focus on giving, but is our giving really where it needs to be? Are we simply giving gifts to family members who have little need, while overlooking the desperate need of hurting souls around us?

Once Jesus told a story about a man who was traveling to Jericho. While He was traveling, he was robbed, beaten and left for dead. In Jesus' story, religious leaders passed by this suffering man. They saw his anguish. They witnessed his plight. They knew his condition. Yet in spite of all of this, they chose to pass him by. Perhaps they felt their schedule was too full. Maybe they judged the situation and wrongly assumed the man had received what he deserved. More than likely, they didn't want to get their hands dirty and commit to helping the man. Does that sound like you?

As Jesus continued the story, He said that a Samaritan came and saw the man. The Samaritan had compassion on the suffering man. He reached out to this victim, treated his wounds and brought him to a nearby hotel where he could get better. The Samaritan paid for the man's room. Keep in mind that when Jesus told this story, his listeners despised Samaritans. No doubt they respect for a Levite and a priest, but in Jesus' story, these men did not show any mercy.

The message of the story is clear. It isn't a religious title or position that matters. How you treat people really matters, especially those who are suffering.

We are living in a hurting world. People don't need to know our political views. They need the Gospel message that we know so well. Furthermore, many of them need our mercy and compassion. We tend to be too judgmental and cold towards those who are suffering. Perhaps they've made bad choices. Maybe they've failed miserably. It could be they have done evil things.  Keep in mind that Jesus had compassion on you … and you weren't deserving. You had failed. You had sinned personally against Him. You had mistreated Him. Yet He saw you suffering and had compassion on You. He saved you. He changed you. Since you have been a recipient of such amazing grace, He challenges you to be an agent of His grace each day.

It is time that we ask God for vision. Ask Him to give us eyes to see things as He sees them. Ask Him to give us a heart for the things He cares most about. I believe if we saw people as He sees them, we wouldn't label them as Democrats or Republicans. We wouldn't view them as worthy or unworthy. Instead, we'd see these people as precious souls, in desperate need of Jesus and His love.

We need to be moved with compassion ourselves.