‘When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.’ – Matthew 9:36 NIV

Reading through the gospels in the New Testament, we see a pattern emerge. Preceding many of his miracles, Jesus is MOVED with compassion. Looking at a person or group of people and seeing their current state, he ministers to their need; physically, spiritually, even emotionally.

I think compassion is a big deal.

Rather than fixate on why someone is in their situation, compassion focuses on improving their condition.

A compassionate response says, ‘I’m not judging you for how you got here. I’m helping you move on from this place.’

Compassion is humanitarian in nature.

Compassion sees in you the humanity that’s in me.

Doing nothing for someone today because of their past or where they come from assumes that what they’ve done or who they are is beneath us. This posture grossly overlooks our shared humanity. We’re all broken. Everyone makes mistakes. We each need a Savior. We’re all just one decision, one step, one accident, one situation, one misfortune away from finding ourselves in a place of dire need.

This doesn’t negate the fact that giving attention to the factors that contribute to one’s lack of well-being need to be addressed, all be it once the rescue and relief phase of compassion is complete. It was after, not before, a great act of compassion and mercy that Jesus says to someone living in sin, ‘Go and sin no more.’ – John 8:11.

Do Something Simple: Compassion first. Then grace. Then truth.