Compassion moved Christ to action.
You can make a difference if you will allow yourself to be compassionate toward others.
“And of some have compassion, making a difference:” Jude 22
The world is filled with those who seek to make a difference. Scientists seek to make a difference by finding a cure for diseases such as cancer. Politicians seek to make a difference by passing laws. God’s children are called upon to make a difference through compassion. Compassion is the fuel that drives us to action.
When our Lord saw the multitudes, He was “moved with compassion.” That compassion caused Him to meet their needs. That is why He fed them and healed them. Jesus Christ made a difference in the lives of those people because He had compassion on them.
“If any of us are ever going to make a difference in the lives of others, we will first have to learn to have compassion upon them.”
Luke 10:30-35 relates the parable of the good Samaritan. A man was taking a journey from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was attacked by thieves. The thieves robbed the man, beat him, and left him for dead on the side of the road. As the man lay there on the verge of death, a priest from the Temple came upon the scene. This priest was ordained by God for the work of the ministry. The priest saw the man and his injuries. He noticed the great need that the man had, but the priest crossed to the other side of the road and continued on his way.
The wounded man was losing blood and needed someone to help. Over the horizon came the figure of a man. A Levite had arrived. This man also had been ordained by God for the work of the ministry. As the Levite drew closer, he too saw the wounds and the great need that this man had. Like the priest, the Levite crossed the road and did not stop to help. Neither the priest nor the Levite stopped to help the wounded man. Both had seen his dilemma. Both knew of his injuries. Neither one helped because neither of these men had compassion upon the man.
Thankfully, a third man came down the road. This man was a Samaritan. He was an outsider to most. However, he did not cross the road and ignore the man and his predicament. Instead, he stopped to help him. Why would he do such a thing? Luke 10:33 tells us that “he had compassion on him.”
Compassion is to see the needs of another and to be compelled to do something about them. Compassion moves us to action. If any of us are ever going to make a difference in the lives of others, we will first have to learn to have compassion upon them.
1. Compassion will cause us to rearrange our schedules.
The Samaritan was on a journey. He had an estimated time of arrival. This man may have had people waiting for him. He had a plan for the day but when he saw the wounded man his schedule changed. Many of us have heard that we should “live by a schedule” and that we should “let the schedule be your boss.” A schedule is great but not at the expense of people and their needs. I have rearranged my schedule and spent all day on Christmas in the hospital with a family as their loved one clung to life.
Rearranging my schedule made a difference that day.
2. Compassion will cause us to expend our energy.
The Samaritan had to do all of the work in this story. He chose to expend his energy on the man. It took energy to bind the man’s wounds, lift him onto the saddle, and then walk to the inn. Many times we do not make a difference because we are not willing to expend the energy needed to do so. Having compassion on people will solve that problem. Compassion motivates us to do whatever is necessary to make a difference.
3. Compassion will cause us to use our finances.
The Samaritan paid for the man’s care from his own wallet. He did so without any expectation of repayment. The Samaritan did not help in order to receive. He sought that man’s welfare. Compassion will cause us to want to seek the welfare of those around us.
4. Compassion will cause us to enjoy anonymity.
The Samaritan is nameless. He was not seeking applause for his good deed. He just wanted to make a difference and he did.
You and I can make a difference, if we allow ourselves to be compassionate toward others. Compassion moved Christ to action. Compassion moved the Samaritan to action. Compassion will move us to action also. The Compassion that moves us to action is the difference maker.