Compassion

Need for a coach

This reminds me of athletes. An athlete can't get anywhere without a coach. An athlete needs a coach who has the right contacts, the proper knowledge, and the appropriate resources. If not, after a certain point, the athlete won't know where to go, how he should train next, when to push harder, and when to take a break. Like athletes, these people needed someone to coach them and guide them.

So what did Jesus do? He saw their need and took action. He became their “coach.”

What's the common denominator between the people of this crowd and the sick and poor people Jesus heals, like the man with leprosy?

They are suffering, whether it's physical or spiritual. And they are lost. They need and want guidance.

Pity vs. compassion

The word compassion comes from two Latin words “suffer” and “with”. Showing compassion means to suffer with someone, to get involved in a person's life, to be a part of that person's suffering.

However, we mustn't mistake compassion for pity. Pity is defined as “sympathetic or kindly sorrow evoked by the suffering or misfortune of another.” (Dictionary.com)

Pity expresses a feeling. And compassion is a reaction to that feeling. Pity isn't a bad thing, but by itself, it's not enough, it's not complete. You can feel pity for someone or show them compassion. That's love. We have to go the extra step to distinguish this crucial difference.

What's the point in saying, “I love you” to someone if it doesn't mean anything to that person? It needs to be accompanied by action.

That’s the difference between pity and compassion. Compassion is love, because of the action that comes with it.

Welcoming the children

“Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” Mark 9:36-37

It’s important to know that in the first century, children had little to no rights. Often seen as a nuisance, they were tolerated but not welcome. (lifesong.org)

So what is Jesus saying here? He is asking us to welcome the children, those excluded, looked down upon, and those who want love. Those are the types of people who need us the most; they are lonely, insecure, and lost.

Taking Action

When Jesus showed compassion he didn't sit around pitying people. He took action.

When the man with leprosy came to him, Jesus heard him and cleaned him. When he saw the crowd running to listen to him, he sympathized with them and taught them. We see the disciples following Jesus, despite their hunger and fatigue. (Mark 6:3-34)

Jesus saw the needs, saw the willingness of the people to be guided, and met those needs even when it meant putting off his own needs for a little while.

We must also be aware of those who are suffering in silence. Let’s look for them and show them compassion, too.

Let's be like Jesus, let us love and care for those who need our love!