Jonathan Munson, Executive Director, RFTH

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion…”     
Colossians 3:12

“Shh…No one cares.”

The other day, I saw a lady wearing a t-shirt with these words. While I understand the humor behind the shirt, the message points to the apathy and cruelty of our world.

Many people are so wrapped up in themselves that they often don’t care about the pain of others. They don’t want to interrupt their schedules long enough to listen to someone share about a stressful situation, much less get involved.

As a result, I think a lot of folks feel like they go through life completely alone, without a single person who genuinely cares about them.

In this cold-hearted world, Christ’s followers are called to bring the warmth of compassion to others. Compassion means “to feel something in the gut.” But it’s more than just a feeling; it’s a feeling that leads to action.

In the King James Version of the Bible, Paul is literally telling the “holy and dearly loved” people of God to put on the “bowels of compassion.” (In the Bible, the bowels were traditionally considered the seat of tender emotions.) But we’re also aware that when we feel something start to move in our bowels, we must act quickly and find a bathroom. Likewise, feeling compassion for someone should cause us to make an effort to help, not just sit still.  

(I know it’s not a pretty picture, but it’s a memorable illustration, nonetheless.)

Compassion isn’t merely seeing a need. It’s seeing a need and then doing something about it. It’s not just feeling sorry for what another person is going through. It’s feeling sorry enough that we respond in some way. Essentially, compassion isn’t just caring in thought; compassion is caring in action. It demands that we leave behind the comforts of convenience and sacrifice our time, energy, and resources for someone else’s good.

But you don’t have to be a believer to show you care, do you?

After all, celebrities and secular organizations demonstrate compassion, sometimes even more than Christians.

So, what distinguishes Christian compassion from the compassion of the world?

Well, for starters, we serve the “God of all comfort and Father of compassion” (2 Corinthians 1:3). As His children, our compassion should overflow from our relationship with Him. We seek to show compassion because He continually shows compassion to us. But at the end of the day, our compassion is but a broken reflection of His perfect compassion.

By far, God’s greatest act of compassion was taking on flesh and stepping into the world in the person of Jesus Christ. When our need was the greatest, when we were mired in the ugliness of our sin, the Father didn’t just shed a tear and say, “Good luck! Hope you make it!” No, He loved us so much that His feelings stirred Him to action. Moved by compassion, He exchanged the majesty of heaven for the messiness of earth.

Consider the compassion of Christ during His brief earthly ministry. (I mean, has there ever been a more compassionate person to walk the planet?) 

Jesus not only loved the crowds, but He also took time to minister to individuals and show them that He cared. He saw the blind. He touched the untouchable. Every miracle He performed was an expression of compassion. And ultimately, compassion compelled Him to the cross to save us from the wretchedness of our sin and restore us to the Father.

Because of the glorious compassion of our Father and Savior, we are to “clothe” ourselves with compassion every day. What if instead of “Shh… no one cares,” our actions proclaimed, “I see you. I care. Jesus cares.”? Imagine the impact.

Here’s the challenge:

Just like putting on our physical clothes, clothing ourselves with compassion takes intentional effort. We must deliberately choose to pay attention to the needs of others and take action.

At some point today, you’ll likely encounter someone who has a need, whether spiritual, emotional, or physical. Decide now what you will do then. 

In that moment, showing compassion will require courage. 

It will demand that, despite any anxiousness you might feel, you push beyond the potential awkwardness, take a risk, and show them you truly care.

Then, my friend, you will be clothing yourself with compassion for the glory of Jesus’ name.

DIG DEEPER
Read “Jesus Taught Us About Compassion” by Bryant Wright