Compassion

Moving on from there, Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee. He went up on a mountain and sat there, and large crowds came to him, including the lame, the blind, the crippled, those unable to speak, and many others. They put them at his feet, and he healed them.

 ..."I have compassion on the crowd..."

Matthew 15:29, 30, 32

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Compassion comes from the Latin compati ("to suffer with"), and it is the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral response to recognizing distress in others.

Those that were with Jesus at this time were filled with people in distress. The blind, mute, and sick - these the marginalized in society that oftentimes, received no mercy. But Jesus had compassion over them. It is a stark contrast to modern-day, politics-infused faith that oftentimes (at least in my observation) is continually trying to draw a line and pushing "the others" out. The marginalized, the overlooked, those that need mercy instead receive rebuke. Instead of drawing people towards us and Christ, we are choosing to push them out.

Jesus' compassion is best seen when we see the cross. He chose to "suffer with" us in our sin, but ultimately paid the price our sins through his suffering, death, and resurrection. 

1. Jesus' compassion over those that are overlooked and viewed as the "other", reminds me that I need to clothe myself with the heart and compassion of Christ, and do my best to show love and compassion towards others.

2. If Jesus were alive today, I think many self-labeled "christians" would rebuke him for advocating for the weak and overlooked. I think many people would be shocked with whom Jesus would choose to spend time with.

Jesus, help me to love like you loved, live like you lived, and have compassion towards others like you did. I cannot do this in my own strength and with the heart I have. Change me from within so that I may live out a life of faith and love.

In Jesus' name, amen.