Compassion Runs Two Ways
Because God is compassionate toward His people, He expects His children to be
compassionate as well. Many people want God’s compassion, yet fall short of
showing compassion. We are instructed to show compassion (Zechariah 7:9) says
“thus says the Lord of hosts: execute true justice, show mercy and compassion,
everyone to his brother”.
Jesus gives a parable of a compassionate master (Matthew 18:23-33) “therefore is
the kingdom of heaven likened to a certain king, which would take account of his
servants. And when he had begun to reckon; one was brought to him, which owed
him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay; his lord
commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had; and
payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down and worshipped him; saying,
Lord have patience with me, and I will pay you all. Then the lord of that servant
was moved with compassion; and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the
same servant went out and found one of his fellow servants which owed him an
hundred pence; and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying; pay
me that you owe. And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him,
saying, have patience with me, and I will pay you all. And he would not; but went
and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants
saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told to their lord all that
was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said to him, O you wicked
servant, I forgave you all that debt, because you desire me. Should not you also
have had compassion on your fellow servant, even as I had pity on you”? Jesus
says in verse 35 “so likewise shall My heavenly Father do also to you, if you from
your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses”.
Compassion is showing kindness or favor, having pity or mercy. Compassion
describes one aspect of God’s covenantal relationship with His people. God’s
compassion was always demonstrated by definite acts that testified to His covenant
with Israel. In spite of Israel’s rebellions, God still had compassion on His people (II
Chronicles 36:15) “and the Lord God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His
messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on
His people and on His dwelling place”; and (Psalms 78:38) “but He, (God) being full
of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and did not destroy them, yes, many a time
He turned His anger away, and did not stir up all His wrath”.
When Israel was chastised, the nation often feared that God had withdrawn his
favor, yet God’s compassion would revive, and He would restore His people
(Deuteronomy 30:3) “that the Lord Yahweh your God will bring you back from
captivity, and have compassion on you, and gather you again from all nations
where the Lord Yahweh your God has scattered you”. The rebirth of Israel as a
nation in 1948 fulfilled this prophecy.
Compassion is always both a feeling and the appropriate action based on that
feeling, example the two harlots in (I Kings 3:16-27), it says in essence; there were
two women, that were harlots, and the one woman said, O my lord, I and this
woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house.
And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was
delivered also; and this woman’s child died in the night; because she laid on it, and
she arose and took my son from beside me, while your handmaid slept, and laid it
in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom. And as I arose in the morning
to give my child suck, behold, it was dead; but when I had considered it, behold, it
was not my son, which I did bear. And the other woman said, nay; but the living is
my son, and the dead is your son. And this said, no, but the dead is your son, and
the living is my son, thus they spoke before the king. Then said the king, the one
says, this is my son that lives, and your son s dead; and the other says, nay; but
your son is the dead, and my son is the living. And the king said, bring me a
sword, and the brought a sword before the king. And the king said, divide the
living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other. Then spoke the
woman whose the living child was to the king, for her bowels yearned upon her
son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it, but the
other said, let it be neither mine nor yours, but divide it. Then the king answered
and said, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it; she is the mother thereof”.
You see her compassion was so great that she was willing to give up the child,
rather than see him cut in two.
Jesus told the parable of the Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) “a certain man went down
from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his
raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance
there came down a certain priest that way; and when he saw him, he passed by on
the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked
on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he
journeyed, came where he was and when he saw him, he had compassion on him.
And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on
his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the
morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and
said to him, take care of him; and whatsoever you spend more, when I come again,
I will repay you. Which now of these three, thinks you, was neighbor to him that fell
among the thieves? And he said, he that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus
to him, Go, and do you likewise”.
The Bible tells us in John 1:18 “no man has seen God at any time, the only
begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him”. Jesus
showed God’s compassion in His preaching and healing (Matthew 9:35-36) “and
Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and
preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every
disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with
compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep
having no shepherd”.
And also the feeding of the multitude (Matthew 15:30-38) and great multitudes
came to Him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and
many others, and cast them down at Jesus feet, and He healed them. Insomuch
that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be
whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see; and they glorified the God of Israel.
Then Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, I have compassion on the
multitude, because they continue with Me now three days, and having nothing to
eat; and I will not send them away fasting less they faint in the way. So He told His
disciples to give them something to eat, and all that they could find was two fish
and seven loaves of bread. Jesus took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave
thanks, and broke them, and gave to His disciples and the disciples to the
multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled; and they took up of the broken
meat that was left seven baskets full. And they that did eat were four thousand
men, beside women and children”.
The believer is to demonstrate compassion as one facet of the love that Jesus
commanded. In Ephesians 5:1-2, it says “be you therefore followers of God, as
dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given Himself
for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor”. Following
Jesus’ example, Christians are to show compassion in dealing with others (I John 3:
14-18) “we know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the
brethren. He that loves not his brother abides in death. Whosoever hates his
brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in
him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us, and
we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso has this world’s good,
and see his brother have need, and shuts up his bowels of compassion from him,
how dwells the love of God in him. My little children, let us not love in word, neither
in tongue; but in deed and in truth”.
Compassion is to be an integral part of the concept of Christian life. One’s intense
inner feelings should always lead to outward compassionate acts of mercy and
kindness. Galatians 6:1-2 says “brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you
which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering
yourself, less you also be tempted. Bear you one another’s burdens, and so fulfill
the law of Christ”.
I Peter 3:8 says “finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one
another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous”.
Jude 1:21-23 says “keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of
our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a
difference. And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the
garment spotted by the flesh”.
Remember that whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap (Galatians 6:7).
So when we sow compassion, we will receive compassion.
Sermon by: Harriet Bond
Date: June 4, 2010
Because God is compassionate toward His people, He expects His children to be
compassionate as well. Many people want God’s compassion, yet fall short of
showing compassion. We are instructed to show compassion (Zechariah 7:9) says
“thus says the Lord of hosts: execute true justice, show mercy and compassion,
everyone to his brother”.
Jesus gives a parable of a compassionate master (Matthew 18:23-33) “therefore is
the kingdom of heaven likened to a certain king, which would take account of his
servants. And when he had begun to reckon; one was brought to him, which owed
him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay; his lord
commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had; and
payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down and worshipped him; saying,
Lord have patience with me, and I will pay you all. Then the lord of that servant
was moved with compassion; and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the
same servant went out and found one of his fellow servants which owed him an
hundred pence; and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying; pay
me that you owe. And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him,
saying, have patience with me, and I will pay you all. And he would not; but went
and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants
saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told to their lord all that
was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said to him, O you wicked
servant, I forgave you all that debt, because you desire me. Should not you also
have had compassion on your fellow servant, even as I had pity on you”? Jesus
says in verse 35 “so likewise shall My heavenly Father do also to you, if you from
your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses”.
Compassion is showing kindness or favor, having pity or mercy. Compassion
describes one aspect of God’s covenantal relationship with His people. God’s
compassion was always demonstrated by definite acts that testified to His covenant
with Israel. In spite of Israel’s rebellions, God still had compassion on His people (II
Chronicles 36:15) “and the Lord God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His
messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on
His people and on His dwelling place”; and (Psalms 78:38) “but He, (God) being full
of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and did not destroy them, yes, many a time
He turned His anger away, and did not stir up all His wrath”.
When Israel was chastised, the nation often feared that God had withdrawn his
favor, yet God’s compassion would revive, and He would restore His people
(Deuteronomy 30:3) “that the Lord Yahweh your God will bring you back from
captivity, and have compassion on you, and gather you again from all nations
where the Lord Yahweh your God has scattered you”. The rebirth of Israel as a
nation in 1948 fulfilled this prophecy.
Compassion is always both a feeling and the appropriate action based on that
feeling, example the two harlots in (I Kings 3:16-27), it says in essence; there were
two women, that were harlots, and the one woman said, O my lord, I and this
woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house.
And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was
delivered also; and this woman’s child died in the night; because she laid on it, and
she arose and took my son from beside me, while your handmaid slept, and laid it
in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom. And as I arose in the morning
to give my child suck, behold, it was dead; but when I had considered it, behold, it
was not my son, which I did bear. And the other woman said, nay; but the living is
my son, and the dead is your son. And this said, no, but the dead is your son, and
the living is my son, thus they spoke before the king. Then said the king, the one
says, this is my son that lives, and your son s dead; and the other says, nay; but
your son is the dead, and my son is the living. And the king said, bring me a
sword, and the brought a sword before the king. And the king said, divide the
living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other. Then spoke the
woman whose the living child was to the king, for her bowels yearned upon her
son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it, but the
other said, let it be neither mine nor yours, but divide it. Then the king answered
and said, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it; she is the mother thereof”.
You see her compassion was so great that she was willing to give up the child,
rather than see him cut in two.
Jesus told the parable of the Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) “a certain man went down
from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his
raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance
there came down a certain priest that way; and when he saw him, he passed by on
the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked
on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he
journeyed, came where he was and when he saw him, he had compassion on him.
And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on
his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the
morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and
said to him, take care of him; and whatsoever you spend more, when I come again,
I will repay you. Which now of these three, thinks you, was neighbor to him that fell
among the thieves? And he said, he that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus
to him, Go, and do you likewise”.
The Bible tells us in John 1:18 “no man has seen God at any time, the only
begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him”. Jesus
showed God’s compassion in His preaching and healing (Matthew 9:35-36) “and
Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and
preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every
disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with
compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep
having no shepherd”.
And also the feeding of the multitude (Matthew 15:30-38) and great multitudes
came to Him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and
many others, and cast them down at Jesus feet, and He healed them. Insomuch
that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be
whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see; and they glorified the God of Israel.
Then Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, I have compassion on the
multitude, because they continue with Me now three days, and having nothing to
eat; and I will not send them away fasting less they faint in the way. So He told His
disciples to give them something to eat, and all that they could find was two fish
and seven loaves of bread. Jesus took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave
thanks, and broke them, and gave to His disciples and the disciples to the
multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled; and they took up of the broken
meat that was left seven baskets full. And they that did eat were four thousand
men, beside women and children”.
The believer is to demonstrate compassion as one facet of the love that Jesus
commanded. In Ephesians 5:1-2, it says “be you therefore followers of God, as
dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given Himself
for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor”. Following
Jesus’ example, Christians are to show compassion in dealing with others (I John 3:
14-18) “we know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the
brethren. He that loves not his brother abides in death. Whosoever hates his
brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in
him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us, and
we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso has this world’s good,
and see his brother have need, and shuts up his bowels of compassion from him,
how dwells the love of God in him. My little children, let us not love in word, neither
in tongue; but in deed and in truth”.
Compassion is to be an integral part of the concept of Christian life. One’s intense
inner feelings should always lead to outward compassionate acts of mercy and
kindness. Galatians 6:1-2 says “brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you
which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering
yourself, less you also be tempted. Bear you one another’s burdens, and so fulfill
the law of Christ”.
I Peter 3:8 says “finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one
another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous”.
Jude 1:21-23 says “keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of
our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a
difference. And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the
garment spotted by the flesh”.
Remember that whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap (Galatians 6:7).
So when we sow compassion, we will receive compassion.
Sermon by: Harriet Bond
Date: June 4, 2010
