The Faces of Compassion

Since the beginning of the year, our church has been studying the gospel of Luke. In doing so, we are reminded over and over of the compassion of Jesus. Jesus didn’t stop at being empathetic, “feeling along with” others or relating to how they feel. 

No. Time and again, Jesus took action. It is through those stories of Jesus that we learn about our God, who loves us with a compassionate love, who listens to our prayers with compassion, and who answers our prayers with compassion, not always giving us what we want, but always what we need. 

I think the distinction between having empathy for someone and having compassion is taking action. With compassion, you not only see another person in their pain, but you also feel empathy for them and also are moved to action. 

Before Jesus healed a man with leprosy as recorded in Mark 1, he did the unthinkable. He reached out and touched him. This move of compassion was scandalous. Touching someone with leprosy was almost as bad as touching a dead person. It was against Jewish law. But the compassion of Jesus drove him to touch the man anyway. No doubt he understood how this man longed to be touched, ached for human contact. So he touched him, and the leprosy immediately left him. 

When he met Zacchaeus, Jesus knew his reputation. After all, he was a tax collector. But Jesus told Zacchaeus in front of everyone that he was going to go home with him. Those within earshot likely questioned his wisdom. Was he actually going to eat with a sinner? With compassion for Zacchaeus, Jesus reminded them that the reason he came to earth was to seek and save those who are lost. 

With compassion, Jesus looked for any and every opportunity to point out when it was a Samaritan, one of those despised by Jews, who had done the better thing. It was the Samaritan who was the hero of one parable he told, the story we call “The Good Samaritan.” And after Jesus healed the ten men with leprosy as recorded in Luke 17, he pointed out to those listening that only the Samaritan returned to thank him. 

Jesus’ attention on the poor, the sick, the outcasts, and the marginalized speaks volumes about his compassion. Seeing what compassion looks like on Jesus shows us what compassion looks like on God. But what does compassion look like on you and me? 

As the outreach minister at Highland Oaks, I am responsible for Hope 4 Lake Highlands, a ministry that serves people in the Lake Highlands area of Dallas who are experiencing poverty. I have been in situations where someone needed their car repaired so they could get to work, and one of our members would say, “I will take care of that.” 

Compassion as generosity. 

A woman from Myanmar who could not speak English came into Hope 4 Lake Highlands, and another woman who had come for food saw that we were struggling to communicate, so she stopped to provide translation for someone she did not know. 

Compassion as assistance. 

A woman in our church recently shared that another member sent her a greeting card once a week for a year following her divorce. 

Compassion as encouragement. 

Another member shared that he received daily texts, hugs on Sunday mornings, and words of love after he shared that he was going through a hard time. 

Compassion as love. 

Preparing meals for someone who is sick or recovering from surgery. 

Compassion as nourishment. 

Showing up to someone’s home or to the funeral when they have lost a loved one. 

Compassion as presence.

Last August, the staff at Highland Oaks planned to move the contents of our building to our new location. Several members showed up in the extreme heat to help. 

Compassion as service. 

Any time you provide an extra measure of grace and patience to a person, especially if that person is receiving more than giving in their relationship with you. 

Compassion as kindness. 

When you forgive someone for hurting you because you have compassion for them and for yourself, especially as you recall the many times you have needed forgiveness. 

Compassion as forgiveness. 

Yes, compassion has many faces. But what compassion always involves is action. Love in action. Seeing a person. Feeling empathy. Taking action. That’s compassion. 

Jesus’ compassion included forgiveness. As those who follow Jesus, we acknowledge our need for forgiveness, and we celebrate God’s grace and overflowing compassion that has been extended to us through the life and the death of Jesus.