If we look at the Oxford Dictionary, the literal meaning of the word compassion is “sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others” or simply “to suffer with”.
We look at Matthew 14:13-14 and we see that Jesus had just got the news that John the Baptist had been beheaded (murdered). A brutal death indeed and the Master was devastated, and He went to a quiet place, I believe to mourn and to reflect on His cousin’s death.
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But when the people knew and heard where He was going, the multitudes followed, bringing with them their sick and handicapped and diseased. Jesus was filled with compassion and He healed them.
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We remember another time when parents were bringing their little children to Jesus so that He could bless them. But the disciples saw how tired Jesus was and they rebuked those parents. But Jesus overruled them and said: “Do not forbid them.”
Compassion is so needed in these times in which we are living, especially with this Covid-19 coronavirus still hanging around. People need understanding. Not everybody has the same degree of boldness or faith. We need to extend compassion to them. We need to be understanding and we need to love them unconditionally.
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Why? Well quite simply because Jesus said so. He said: ““If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me..” — Matthew 16:24 (NKJV) and “And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” — Luke 14:27 (NKJV)
By the way, the cross represents self-denial. You cannot have compassion on other people if you are so full of yourself. We need to die to ourselves.
I said it before, and I’ll say it again. My biggest enemy is not the devil, it’s Angus Buchan and when Angus dies Jesus can live through me and then I can have compassion to minister. By the way, the word minister means serve. That I can have compassion to serve others.
Jesus bless you
Angus and Jill Buchan
