A Reflection On Compassion

When I need to view other believers with God’s love

Many of us expected to find holy people in God’s Kingdom. We may have envisioned the church as a collection of folks who have gotten it right, who know what life is about and live it well. But if we’ve been there long enough, we realize that while the people are holy in Christ, they (and we) are still deeply flawed in themselves.

Jesus looked out upon the lame, the blind, the crippled, and the mute, and had compassion. He healed them and He fed them. What do we see when we look out upon the crowds that are coming to Jesus? Do we expect to find cleaner, healthier people? We will not. We will see similar crowds with similar problems—a world of infirmities laying all before His feet. How do we respond when we see the nature of the world within the walls of the church?

Jesus’ followers are the walking wounded, those who have risen from death and are still removing their grave clothes. We bring our flaws to Him, and He is compassionate. We must be also.

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Matthew 9:36