Understanding Compassion

Read: Jonah 4:5-11

The LORD said, . . . “Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?” Jonah 4:10-11

IN WORD

Jonah didn’t understand God’s ways. More than that, he didn’t understand God’s heart. He thought God was zealous about punishing His enemies, when in reality He was zealous about being gracious to those who humble themselves in His sight. Jonah didn’t realize that God is more interested in mercy than in punishment. He wanted a God who would wipe out the ungodly, not change them.

Centuries later in salvation history, we witnessed the character of God in the person of Jesus. In Him, we saw God’s heart toward sinners, how He didn’t condemn those who deserved condemnation, but with mercy and kindness turned their hearts back toward God. We learned that although Jonah wasn’t willing to spend three days in a darkened, deathly belly for the redemption of evildoers, God incarnate was. We came to understand that God will judge when He has to, but He much prefers to save.

The religious impulse of human beings doesn’t understand that. We’re a lot like Jonah; right and wrong have to be established, and justice must be weighed. God, of course, is the Author of the principle in the first place, but His enforcement of it looks more merciful than we ever imagined possible. He took justice upon Himself so He could function out of His love for lost cities and souls. He did what His prophet couldn’t grasp: He preached judgment because He loved the lost enough to tell the truth.

IN DEED

Do we really understand God’s heart for those who don’t know Him? We comprehend it at an intellectual level, but do we feel His compassion for the vile and offensive rebels of this world? Not unless His Spirit breathes such compassion into us. It doesn’t come naturally. Our natural selves want to get even with those who hurt us, not get friendly with them.

Ask God for His heart. Pray to be overwhelmed with concern for a city ignorant of His love. Grasp what Jonah couldn’t. Ask God to breathe His love for others into you.

ADDITIONAL READING: Isaiah 30:18-20

The Christian’s compassion must be like God’s—unceasing.

WILLIAM BARCLAY