Have you ever been around a person who was the model of compassion and wished you could be more like that? If you have, you are not alone. “Compassion is a deep awareness of and sympathy for another’s suffering. Jesus is the model of compassion.”[1] No matter what your past has been, the good news is that the Lord will help us grow in compassion.
The Apostle Paul writes about the compassion of Jesus. 2 Cor. 1: 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.[2]
Sometimes people become more compassionate for others out of difficult circumstances they experience. One of my friends lost an infant child. He and his wife were used mightily by the Lord to comfort other parents in similar circumstances. When we experience such trials, they change how we see life. Things may seem important until you are faced with a health challenge or a loss of a loved one. Suddenly, God changes our priorities.
In our story of the woman caught in adultery, Jesus shows us how to reach out with compassion. John 8:4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” 6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.
9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” 11 “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” [3]
Notice what Jesus does. He writes on the ground and then asks a simple question. Who of you has not sinned? The woman was well aware of her guilt and no one had to point it out to her. Her real need was compassion. Paul writes about the impact of compassion on others. Romans 2:4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? [4]
What did the woman receive? She received kindness and compassion that gave her hope. What did Jesus want her to do? He wanted her to turn from her sin just as it says in the Romans 2:4.
When I have compassion on others, I am able to be the hands of Jesus extending hope to others.
Prayer: Lord, please open my eyes. Please let me see those around me that are in need of my compassion. Compel me to listen to them, to hear their needs. Give me the heart to be interested in their troubles and provide for me the means to help them. I want to be compassionate. I want to be like you that had so much compassion for the world that you sacrificed your Son on a cross for us. I want to have that kind of heart for the world that I will do all I can to be a voice for the oppressed, a giver to the poor, and encouragement for the disabled. [5]
To hear more about the woman caught in adultery, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/hope-in-my-sin
[1] Logos Bible Program
[2] The Holy Bible: New International Version. (1984). (2 Co 1:3–4). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
[3,4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Jn 8:4–11). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[5] https://www.learnreligions.com/prayer-to-be-more-compassionate-712166 Accessed: July 21, 2020.