HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 71
page A69
do so—being moved to the point of action). Jesus felt great compassion for the crowds
of people following him and were desperately searching for meaning and longing and
healing. And his compassion compelled him to teach, feed, and heal them. Compassion
is a tearing of the heart, a true caring, something deeply seated in our emotions as we
respond to another in need. In many ways, compassion is a litmus test of our commitment and desire to love others as Christ loves us. To be Christlike is also to share in his
compassionate feelings toward the needy, particularly the needy who cannot help themselves. If we are not moved to action by the incredible needs and hurts around us, we
are developing hearts of stone that will soon become too hard to respond to others.
How does God show his compassion to me?
• PSA L M 1 0 3 :8 | The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with
unfailing love.
• PSA L M 1 0 3 :1 3 | The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to
those who fear him.
God shows his compassion to you by giving you blessings you don’t deserve, and by not
giving you what you really deserve. Instead he forgives you and restores you to what you
were intended to be.
See people in need as God sees them—as people made in his image as people he deeply
loves.
• L U K E 1 0 :3 4 | “Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and
wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn,
where he took care of him.”
Don’t just feel moved by someone in need, but move toward them to help in any way you
can. Do something tangible to serve them.
• 2 C O R I NT H I A NS 8 :9 | You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he
was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.
In his love and compassion for you, Jesus gave up his most high position to come to earth
and die for your sins. Your goal, as a believer in Jesus, is to develop that same depth of
love and compassion for others, where you would be willing even to give up your life for
their sake.
• J O B 5 :2 7 | “We have studied life and found all this to be true. Listen to my counsel, and
apply it to yourself.” (See note on page 455.)
Be very careful giving advice to hurting people; first they need compassion. Job’s friends
were not very compassionate to him when he lost everything, thus their advice was not
helpful.
What can I learn about God’s compassion that can help me be more
compassionate?
• L A ME NTAT I O NS 3 :2 2 -2 3 | The faithful love of the Lord never ends! . . . Great is his
faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
• MA R K 1 :4 1 | Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,”
he said. “Be healed!” (See note on page 896.)
• PSA L M 7 2 :1 3 -1 4 | He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and he will rescue them. He
will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their lives are precious to him.
A compassion like God’s is persistent and consistent.
• E X O DU S 3 4 :6 | The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The Lord!
The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and
faithfulness.”
A compassion like God’s is slow to get angry.
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• L U K E 1 0 :3 3 | “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt
compassion for him.”
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How can I show compassion to others?