INTRO: Galatians 6:2 states that we should “Carry each other’s burdens.” Are you willing to carry my burdens? Even if you know I don’t deserve it? Having compassion on someone can be time consuming, expensive, and just plain hard—on everyone involved
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I. How we usually think of compassion.
A. Empathy: Putting yourself in that person’s position and imagining his position..
B. Sympathy: “I understand how you feel.” “I’ve been there.” “That is so sad.”
C. We usually think compassion is just feeling sorry for someone; however, God has shown us with concrete examples from the Word of what compassion is.
D. The Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary defines “Compassion” as “The sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it.” Wow, a desire to alleviate it. Compassion should go one step further, though; it should do something instead of just desiring to do something. That is what compassion does: something. Even if it is some situation that your really can’t do anything about(such as the deformed, blind, crippled, mentally slow, etc), you can pray.
1. syllogism: If compassion is trying to give someone what he needs, and they need ___________, then having compassion on that person would be trying to give him ____________.
II. What does Compassion actually do?
A. Compassion provides those who are in need with what they need.
a. Matt 25:34-40 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited Me in, I needed clothes and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and invite You in, or needing clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick or in prison and go to visit You?’ “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.”
1. Notice that they did something for “the least,” knowing that these people could never repay them. They didn’t loan, they gave.
2. What does he mean “whatever you did for the least of these, you did for Me”? How are you doing it for him?
b. Jesus did it for the least of these when he healed the woman with the issue of blood. Luke 8:43-47 43 And a woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and could not be healed by anyone, 44 came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. 45 And Jesus said, "Who is the one who touched Me?" And while they were all denying it, Peter said, "Master, the people are crowding and pressing in on You." 46 But Jesus said, "Someone did touch Me, for I was aware that power had gone out of Me." 47 When the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and fell down before Him, and declared in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched Him, and how she had been immediately healed.
11. This woman was definitely “the least of these.” She had no way of repaying the favor, and no one would’ve noticed if he just ignored her, but he didn’t.
b. Sometimes it is just being there for someone when they need help. Galatians 6:2 states that we should “Carry each other’s burdens.”
B. Compassion takes the one thing we have the least of: time.
a. Luke 10:31& 34 The story of the Good Samaritan is really famous, but lots of us miss one point in the story. (Verse 33) "But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, 34 and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him.” The Samaritan took time to stay with him and tend to his wounds. He took time out of his busy life to do it himself for a total stranger. We waste a lot of time, and we are busy nearly every minute of every day. Giving of that time to do for others is a big sacrifice, but it is required.
1. If you are in a hurry, do you really think God will understand?
b. Luke 8:49-56 Jesus sows compassion and takes time to actually go to her house. He could’ve just done it from afar, but no. He took the time to go. 49 While He was still speaking, someone came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, "Your daughter has died; do not trouble the Teacher anymore." 50 But when Jesus heard this, He answered him, "Do not be afraid any longer; only believe, and she will be made well." 51 When He came to the house, He did not allow anyone to enter with Him, except Peter and John and James, and the girl’s father and mother. 52 Now they were all weeping and lamenting for her; but He said, "Stop weeping, for she has not died, but is asleep." 53 And they began laughing at Him, knowing that she had died. 54 He, however, took her by the hand and called, saying, "Child, arise!" 55 And her spirit returned, and she got up immediately; and He gave orders for something to be given her to eat. 56 Her parents were amazed; but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened.
c. James 4:14 “You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” How are you using your little time here on earth? It’ll be over soon enough; will you be satisfied with how you used your time when you stand before the father?
C. Compassion may take the second thing we have the least of: money.
a. Luke 10:35 "On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, `Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.” He spent his own money on a total stranger because he needed it. Are you willing to do the same? A Roman soldier under the rule of Emperor Augustus 27BC-AD14 was paid 225 denarii per year. This is roughly 4 denarii per week. The Samaritan gave half a week’s salary to put this stranger in the hotel.
1. What will happen to him tomorrow? The future? Did he teach him to fish, or just give him a fish? He had compassion, regardless of what the future may hold. Today, this is what that man needed. How many times do we say “I’m not giving him money/food, he’ll just need more tomorrow.” Compassion says that we help now.
2. Keep in mind that the Samaritan left with no way of being repaid. He seemed just fine with this.
b. 1 John 3:17 “We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” Can you truly call yourself “Christ-like” if you are not willing to lay down your life as well as you earthly goods for your brethren?
D. Compassion on those who may not deserve it: the guilty
a. When we see someone who needs help, we often wonder why they need help. I wonder what they did to get themselves in that situation. Wonder if they deserve it? Is it any of my business? This is probably God’s punishment on him. Don’t wanna mess with God’s will….
b. John 8:1-11 When a woman is caught in the act of adultery, she is brought before Jesus, the Pharisees asked him what he thought should be done with her.
1. According to the law, she should be put to death.
a. Deut 22:22 “If a man be found lying with a woman married to a husband, then they shall both of them die.”
2. Jesus didn’t deny her guilt, but instead, had compassion. He made the statement: “He who is without sin, cast the first stone.” Of course they all walked away, unable to throw a stone for everyone has sinned.
3. When they all left, she was left standing before Jesus Christ himself. He asked her where her accusers were, “they have gone, my Lord,” she replied. Jesus said “neither do I condemn you.”
a. Notice that he said “condemn.” He did not say “convict,” because she DID commit adultery, and she WAS guilty. She should be convicted to never do this again. But remember Romans 8:1 “there is no condemnation in Chris.” She was not supposed to be sent into eternal guilt and depression because of it.
b. This woman didn’t need to be condemned. She needed to be converted: mercy is a great way to show you care.
c. Jesus has provided us with this same compassion even though we are guilty, all the time, of sin. “Go and sin no more” Verse 11.
11. Psalms 51:1 “Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion, blot out my transgressions.” He has blotted out our sins by his compassion! Glory Hallelujah! Do we deserve it? No. We gonna get it? YES!
22. He is waiting to have compassion on us! He wants to help us! Isaiah 30:18 “Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him.”
aa. He is eager to have compassion on us and forgive us our sins, if only we meet the sole requirement laid forth: seek him.
E. Compassion is hard
a. Matt 19:16-22. 16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honor thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
1. The rich young ruler had a need: to know what was needed to get in to heaven.
2. Jesus provided him with what was needed.
3. Thus, Jesus had compassion on him, even though the rich young ruler probably thought he was too hard on him.
b. Luke 10:38-42 Martha invites Jesus over for dinner, but when her sister sits at Jesus’ feet listening to him the whole time, she gets upset that her sister isn’t helping her get dinner ready. “38 Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me." 41 But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; 42 but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
1. One would think that Jesus would have compassion on Martha for working so much and send Mary in to help her, but he doesn’t. He was in the middle of having compassion of Mary; he was giving her what she needed—the keys to eternal life! Now that is compassion!
c. Jesus had been preaching and the disciples claimed that he was preaching too hard. John 6:60-68 60 Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this said, "This is a difficult statement; who can listen to it?" 61 But Jesus, conscious that His disciples grumbled at this, said to them, "Does this cause you to stumble? 62 "What then if you see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before? 63 "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. 64 "But there are some of you who do not believe." 65 And He was saying, "For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father." 66 As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, "You do not want to go away also, do you?" 68 Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.
1. Only Simon Peter recognized that Jesus was showing compassion. He saw a need, and filled that need. He would’ve been negligent to have ignored it or preached soft words.
III. And if you don’t…
A. Matthew 25:41-46 “41 "Then He will also say to those on His left, `Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; 43 I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ 44 "Then they themselves also will answer, `Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ 45 "Then He will answer them, `Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 "These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." Will this be you?
