To sum up, all of you be harmonious,
sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning
evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were
called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:8-9
The People are Kindhearted
(Compassionate)
Mamie Adams always went to a branch post office in her town
because the postal employees there were friendly. She went there to buy stamps
just before Christmas one year and the lines were particularly long. Someone
pointed out that there was no need to wait in line because there was a stamp
machine in the lobby. "I know," said Mamie, 'but the machine won't
ask me about my arthritis."
Here is the driving force for ministry...a tender heart. It was a tender heart that moved His heart as
He looked at the people “trampled and
broken without a shepherd.” It was a
tender heart that reached out to the leprous, dying, sinful tax collectors and
a disciple who denied Him. It was a
tender heart that sent the Savior to the cross.
But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his
brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of
God abide in him? 1 John 3:17 NASB
The term “closes his heart” was used to describe the seat of
emotions or, as we would say today, the heart. Have your insides ever been shaken in seeing
the need of someone hurting, ashamed, or broken? Compassion is not a logical response to a
recognized need. It is an inner anguish
that physically affects us when confronted with the pain of this world and
demands our attention.
As you read the scriptures you cannot help but see the
compassion that Jesus had for others.
His heart was not prejudiced by race, creed, color, political platform,
economic or social standing. His heart
was recklessly compassionate.
Matthew 9:36 ... He saw the masses of people in
their helpless plights of life and was "moved"
with compassion.
Matthew 14:14 ... Seeing the sea of hurting humanity
Jesus was moved with compassion to "heal"
the sick.
Matthew 15:32 ... Knowing the needs of the people
Jesus moved in compassion to "feed"
the hungry.
Mark 1:41 ... Hearing the request of the leper Jesus was moved
with compassion to "reach out and touch."
Simply put, a truly compassionate person is one who is open
to caring even when it hurts. Look with
the eyes and heart of Christ in your world and see if God places someone there
who stirs your heart to true compassion.
Scripture to Claim
Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them,
because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.
Matthew 9:36
