TCR Number: 3518-3519

Compassion goes beyond keeping the Law (John 8:1-11)

In John 8 we read about a woman who was brought before Jesus. Those that brought her accused her of committing the act of adultery. The scribes and the Pharisees said that the law of Moses commanded that she ought to be stoned to death (John 8:5). However, Jesus had a different way of dealing with the matter. He said to those who brought her to him, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). The message here is that we are all guilty of sin before God, so before we start pointing the finger and exposing the sins of others we need to take a look at ourselves first. Those who demanded that the Law of Moses was carried out were just as guilty and sinful as the woman they brought before the Saviour. Jesus is demonstrating His love and grace towards sinners. John 1:17 says, “For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.”

Be as compassionate as God is to you (Luke 6:36)

In Luke 6:36 the Bible says, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Compassion is at the heart of what it means to be merciful. The Greek word, οἰκτίρμων (oiktirmōn) is used here can be translated as “merciful, compassionate, sympathy, kind or gracious. The Bible encourages us to be compassionate and merciful to others because God has shown us compassion and mercy. We show the love of God by acts of mercy. The great act of love and mercy shown by Christ was his death on the cross. On the cross Christ bled and died to take away the sins of the world. Eph. 4:32 says, “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Colossians 3:12 tells us that those who are in the service of God have a heart of compassion. Talking about the Lord’s dealing with Job the Bible says in James 5:11 that, “the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.”

God’s compassion for you (Lam. 3:21-23)

The Bible says in Lamentations 3:21-23, “This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” The Book of Lamentations was written by Jeremiah. He is a major prophet of God and is often referred to as “the weeping prophet.” Jeremiah was deeply grieved about the sinfulness of his people and the forthcoming consequences that their sins had brought upon the nation. His admonitions were largely ignored, and he reacted to Judah’s defiance with weeping (Jeremiah 13:17). He is known as “the weeping prophet” due to the frequently somber tone of his message and the sorrow he showed for his people. Jeremiah reminds us that the lovingkindness of God never ceases and He continues to pour out His compassion on sinners. Jeremiah reminds us that we serve a great God who is faithful.

Responding to the needs of others (Mark 2:3)

There are many accounts in the pages of Scripture where Jesus responded to the needs of others with compassion. In Mark 2:1-13 we read about a paralytic man who was carried by four men. We read in the text that the Saviour forgave this man’s sin. In Matthew 23:37 we read about the Saviour lamenting over Jerusalem. The Bible says, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.” The Lord Jesus Christ knew there greatest need, yet they were unwilling to come to the Saviour. In Mark 1:41 we read about a man with leprosy who was healed by the Lord Jesus. The Bible says, “Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Another example of responding to the needs of others is the Good Samaritan found in Luke 10. The Bible says, “But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him” (Luke 10:33-34).

Other Passages on Compassion

Psalm 72:13 says, “He will have compassion on the poor and needy, And the lives of the needy he will save.”

Philippians 2:1-2 says, “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.”

Hebrews 4:15 says, “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”