Day 12: About Compassion

From Touching the Clouds: Encouraging Stories to Make Your Faith Soar

Compassion is one of the attributes of God that we may study and apply to our lives today. “The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion” (Psalm 116: 5 NIV). “So as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3: 12 NASB).

Compassion can be explained as sympathy or sorrow over the misfortune of others. “God told Moses, ‘I’m in charge of mercy. I’m in charge of compassion.’ Compassion doesn’t originate in our bleeding hearts or moral sweat, but in God’s mercy (Romans 9: 15 MSG).

The Greek word sumpatheo describes Christ’s sympathy and suffering with others. Its meaning is expanded in Hebrews 4: 15: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet without sin” (NIV).  In short, Jesus hurts when we hurt. Scriptures show his compassion as he cared for physical needs, emotional needs, and for spiritual needs. Of course, Jesus’ greatest demonstration of compassion was when He took our sins upon Himself and sacrificed His very life for us on the cross. That is the ultimate in compassion.