Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  ––Colossians 3:12

Compassion is the simple difference between denying reality and embracing it. “He saw” is the headline of compassion in the life of Christ––eyes wide open. Wherever He went, He was willing to do what He could in the moment. Jesus would see people without food, empathize with their plight, and make provision to feed them. He would see grieving people, experience an internal reaction, and weep with them. He would see directionless people, react with compassion, and start teaching them.

By the life of Jesus we see that compassion means being responsible with the fragile realities around us. “Not my problem” was not in the vocabulary of Jesus, because the people around Him were a part of His reality. He commands us to follow the same path: ^“Then Jesus said to his host, ‘When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’” (Luke 14:12-14).

Compassion comes from seeing reality and not running from, denying, or hiding from it. Far from self-absorbed, Jesus was free to see reality and act. Some people and situations He could fix in the moment. Others would take a while. And still others would have to wait for His return. But that did not stop Him from acting.

If you are afraid of truth and reality, you will have a distant relationship with—and tepid expression of—compassion. We must ask ourselves, “Do I embrace reality and work with it, or do I rationalize and run from it?” In the answer to that question you will see a direct connection in your ability to act compassionately.

Father, may I see the needs around me; open my eyes to those who are hurting and give me the courage to act.

Every Man Ministries