Compassion: What did Jesus say about Compassion

Jesus frequently spoke about compassion throughout the Gospels, emphasizing it as a core aspect of God’s character and the way His followers should treat others. Compassion, in the biblical context, involves not just feeling pity but also being moved to action to alleviate the suffering of others. Here are some relevant Bible verses and key takeaways regarding Jesus’ teachings on compassion:

Relevant Bible Verses

1. Matthew 9:36 (ESV)
   “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
2. Matthew 14:14 (ESV)
   “When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.”
3. Luke 10:33-34 (ESV) – The Parable of the Good Samaritan
   “But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him.”
4. Matthew 18:27 (ESV) – The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
   “And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.”
5. Luke 15:20 (ESV) – The Parable of the Prodigal Son
   “And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”

Three Main Takeaways

1. Compassion Leads to Action

• Jesus didn’t just feel sorry for those suffering; His compassion led to action – healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and comforting those in sorrow. As followers of Christ, we’re called not just to recognize suffering but to be moved to alleviate it where we can.

1. Compassion Crosses Boundaries

• In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus highlights that compassion crosses ethnic, religious, and social boundaries. The Samaritan, who was culturally and religiously distinct from the Jewish man, is the one who showed true compassion. This teaches us that our compassion should not be limited to those who are like us.

1. Compassion Reflects God’s Nature

• The compassion Jesus showed reflects the heart of God towards humanity. The story of the prodigal son, where the father runs to embrace his wayward child, is a powerful image of God’s compassionate nature towards us. As Christians, showing compassion to others is a way of mirroring God’s compassion to the world.

Jesus’ teachings and actions consistently demonstrated that compassion is fundamental to the life of a believer. It involves not just emotions but practical expressions of love and care towards those in need.