Compassion in Action: Following Jesus' Example

Devotional

Day 1: Compassion in Action

True compassion is more than a feeling; it requires us to take action. In the book of Matthew, Jesus exemplifies this by stopping to heal two blind men despite the pressure of a large crowd. This act of compassion serves as a powerful reminder that we must be willing to pause and help those in need, allowing our compassion to lead us to tangible acts of kindness. Compassion is not passive; it is an active response to the needs of others, driven by love and empathy. When we see someone in need, we are called to act, just as Jesus did. [03:21]

Matthew 20:32-34 (ESV): "And stopping, Jesus called them and said, 'What do you want me to do for you?' They said to him, 'Lord, let our eyes be opened.' And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him."

Reflection: Think of a situation where you felt compassion but did not act. What stopped you, and how can you overcome that barrier to take action next time?

Day 2: Overcoming Inadequacy

Feeling inadequate can often hinder our ability to show compassion. We may feel that we lack the resources, skills, or strength to make a difference. However, God assures us that we are enough with Him by our side. Just as He used Gideon and Moses despite their perceived weaknesses, He can use us to make a difference if we trust in His strength. When we rely on God, our inadequacies become opportunities for His power to be displayed. We are reminded that our limitations do not define us; rather, it is our willingness to be used by God that matters. [10:43]

Judges 6:14-16 (ESV): "And the Lord turned to him and said, 'Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?' And he said to him, 'Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.' And the Lord said to him, 'But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.'"

Reflection: Identify an area where you feel inadequate in showing compassion. How can you invite God into that space to empower you to act?

Day 3: Empathy as a Path to Compassion

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, and it is a crucial path to genuine compassion. By putting ourselves in others' shoes, we can better respond to their needs with wisdom and love. King Solomon's wisdom is a testament to the power of empathy, as he was able to discern the truth by understanding the emotions and motivations of those involved. Developing empathy requires us to listen actively and seek to understand others' perspectives, allowing us to connect with them on a deeper level. [16:01]

1 Kings 3:25-28 (ESV): "And the king said, 'Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other.' Then the woman whose son was alive said to the king, because her heart yearned for her son, 'Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means put him to death.' But the other said, 'He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him.' Then the king answered and said, 'Give the living child to the first woman, and by no means put him to death; she is his mother.' And all Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered, and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice."

Reflection: Think of a person you struggle to empathize with. What steps can you take to better understand their perspective and respond with compassion?

Day 4: Pride as a Barrier

Pride can prevent us from showing compassion, as it leads us to view others' problems as their own fault. This barrier can cause us to withhold help and judge others instead of offering love and support. Abraham's humility in rescuing Lot and interceding for Sodom and Gomorrah teaches us to set aside pride and act with love and concern for others. By recognizing our own need for grace, we can extend that same grace to others, breaking down the barriers that pride creates. [18:37]

Genesis 18:23-26 (ESV): "Then Abraham drew near and said, 'Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?' And the Lord said, 'If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake.'"

Reflection: Reflect on a time when pride prevented you from helping someone. How can you cultivate humility to overcome this barrier in the future?

Day 5: Redefining Strength through Compassion

Compassion is not a sign of weakness but a reflection of God's heart. Jesus wept for Lazarus, showing that true strength lies in our ability to feel deeply and act with love. We are called to embrace compassion as a powerful force for good, challenging the notion that it is a feminine trait. By redefining strength through compassion, we can become a church that truly loves from the heart, helping those in need and pointing them to the love of Christ. Compassion is a testament to the strength found in vulnerability and the courage to care for others. [23:19]

John 11:33-35 (ESV): "When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, 'Where have you laid him?' They said to him, 'Lord, come and see.' Jesus wept."

Reflection: Consider how you define strength in your life. How can you incorporate compassion into your understanding of strength and use it to impact others positively?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound theme of compassion as exemplified by Jesus Christ in the book of Matthew. We began with a heartfelt prayer, asking God to fill us with His Holy Spirit and grant us compassionate hearts to be His light in the world. I shared a personal story from my youth, illustrating how a simple act of compassion can profoundly impact someone's life. This story set the stage for our exploration of Matthew 20:29-34, where Jesus, despite the pressure of a large crowd, stopped to heal two blind men who cried out for mercy. This act of compassion by Jesus serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of being moved by compassion and taking action.

We delved into seven barriers that often prevent us from showing compassion: being unmoved, feeling inadequate, being too busy, lacking empathy, pride, assuming someone else will help, and believing compassion is too feminine. Each of these barriers was examined through biblical stories and teachings, emphasizing the necessity of overcoming them to live a life of true compassion. We reflected on the story of the Good Samaritan, who, unlike others, stopped to help a wounded man, demonstrating that true love is shown through compassionate action.

The message also highlighted the importance of empathy, the ability to put ourselves in others' shoes, as demonstrated by King Solomon's wisdom. We were reminded that pride can hinder compassion, as seen in the story of Abraham and Lot, and that assuming others will step in can lead to missed opportunities to serve, as illustrated by Esther's story. Finally, we challenged the notion that compassion is a feminine trait, using Jesus' own tears as a testament to the strength found in compassion.

In conclusion, we are called to be compassionate like Jesus, not just to improve lives but to lead others to follow Him. By overcoming these barriers, we can become a church that truly loves from the heart, helping those in need and pointing them to the love of Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. Compassion Requires Action: True compassion is not just a feeling but a call to action. Like Jesus, who stopped to heal the blind men despite the crowd's pressure, we must be willing to pause and help those in need, allowing our compassion to lead us to tangible acts of kindness. [03:21]
2. Overcoming Inadequacy: Feeling inadequate can hinder our compassion, but God assures us that we are enough with Him by our side. Just as He used Gideon and Moses despite their perceived weaknesses, He can use us to make a difference if we trust in His strength. [10:43]
3. Empathy as a Path to Compassion: Developing empathy allows us to understand and share the feelings of others. By putting ourselves in their shoes, as King Solomon did, we can better respond to their needs with genuine compassion and wisdom. [16:01]
4. Pride as a Barrier: Pride can prevent us from showing compassion, as it leads us to view others' problems as their own fault. Abraham's humility in rescuing Lot and interceding for Sodom and Gomorrah teaches us to set aside pride and act with love and concern for others. [18:37]
5. Redefining Strength: Compassion is not a sign of weakness but a reflection of God's heart. Jesus wept for Lazarus, showing that true strength lies in our ability to feel deeply and act with love. We are called to embrace compassion as a powerful force for good. [23:19]
** [23:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:14] - Personal Story of Compassion
[03:21] - Jesus' Compassion in Matthew
[09:36] - The Good Samaritan
[10:43] - Overcoming Inadequacy
[13:20] - The Danger of Busyness
[16:01] - Developing Empathy
[18:37] - Pride and Compassion
[20:07] - Assuming Others Will Help
[21:04] - Compassion and Gender Stereotypes
[22:35] - Jesus Wept: Redefining Strength
[23:19] - Compassion as a Call to Action
[24:00] - Prayer for Compassion and Revival

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In Matthew 20:29-34, what was the reaction of the crowd when the two blind men cried out to Jesus, and how did Jesus respond? [03:21]
According to the sermon, what are the seven barriers that often prevent us from showing compassion? [09:36]
How does the story of the Good Samaritan illustrate the concept of compassion requiring action? [09:36]
What does James 2:14-17 say about faith without deeds, and how does this relate to the sermon’s message on compassion? [09:36]

Interpretation Questions

How does Jesus' response to the blind men in Matthew 20:29-34 challenge our understanding of compassion in the face of societal pressure? [03:21]
In what ways does feeling inadequate hinder our ability to show compassion, and how can we overcome this barrier according to the sermon? [10:43]
How does the sermon suggest we can develop empathy, and why is it important for showing compassion? [16:01]
What role does pride play in preventing compassion, and how can the story of Abraham and Lot inform our approach to humility? [18:37]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt too busy to help someone in need. How can you prioritize compassion in your daily schedule? [13:20]
Identify a situation where you felt inadequate to help someone. How can you rely on God’s strength to overcome this feeling and take action? [10:43]
Think of a person or group you have struggled to empathize with. What steps can you take to better understand their perspective and show compassion? [16:01]
Pride can often prevent us from helping others. How can you practice humility in your interactions this week to be more open to showing compassion? [18:37]
Consider a time when you assumed someone else would help a person in need. How can you take initiative in similar situations in the future? [20:07]
How can you challenge the stereotype that compassion is a feminine trait in your community or social circles? [21:04]
Jesus wept for Lazarus, showing deep compassion. How can you allow yourself to be vulnerable and express compassion in your relationships? [23:19]

Sermon Clips

"And so I give him the dollar. And out of a sudden, this older man, he starts crying right in front of me, crying and crying. And then he comes up to me and gives me a big hug. And I'm like, oh, it doesn't smell good. But either way, he hugs me, and then he cries, and he tells me, hey, I've asked so many people, and they all passed by me. Nobody stopped. Nobody gave me money. You're the only person who gave me some money. And he's like, thank you. I need this to get back to my family. I have a wife. I have a child. And they're waiting for me. And thank you that I can get back home. And I was like, oh, yeah, sure. And I just go past him and go straight to church." [00:03:21]

"And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside. So as they're walking, there's many people. There's two blind men on the road. And when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, Lord, have mercy on us son of David. The crowd all these people you would imagine hundreds of people they're saying they rebuke them telling them to be quiet silent be quiet stop yelling but they cried out all the more even more Lord have mercy on us son of David and stopping Jesus called them and said what do you want me to do for you they said to him Lord let our eyes be opened and Jesus had compassion on them he had compassion on them and touched their eyes and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him." [00:04:56]

"We think of him as a super apostle, powerful apostle. And yet, this is what he says. Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I don't have ability to speak well. Again, Paul, this is the pastor of pastors, the greatest apostle, if you will. I am not so much knowledge. Indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things. Yes, I cannot speak well, but God is using me. And how many times we feel like, I'm not enough. I cannot speak well. I cannot talk well. I cannot do this. I don't have money. I don't have that or this. And yet, God is saying, no, it does not matter. I will use you. You are enough. You are enough if I'm with you, if you are with me." [00:12:29]

"at him and the Holy Spirit gives him compassion for this person and they ask what do you want I want money but they said we don't have money but what we have we give to you we will pray for you as they prayed for him suddenly he gets up from his knees and starts walking and leaping and praising God and how many times we are so busy to notice those who need help and yet they're crying out help me help me and we're saying we're too busy we don't have time for you we don't have time for you but let us have compassion so that we find time for those who in need amen number four lack of empathy we have a calloused heart a hardened heart a heart of stone the Bible says we're not able to put ourselves into the experience of the Holy Spirit we are not able to put ourselves into the experience of the others we cannot imagine ourselves as the other person we don't have time to take a moment to think about their perspective how they think how they view things we don't have time to pause and ask ourselves how might I feel if I was that person if I was him or her how would I feel and it's" [00:14:15]

"In 1 Kings 3, 23 through 27, there's a story of King Solomon and his wisdom. We all know this story. There were two women. They had babies, and one of the babies died. So the woman whose baby died, she took the other woman's baby, and she said, it's my baby, secretly. And both of them, they come to King Solomon, and they're saying, hey, Solomon, help us. Yes, she says it's my baby, and the other woman says, no, it's my baby. And King Solomon, he says, give me a sword, give me a knife, and I'm going to kill the baby. And the woman whose baby was alive, the true mom, she said, no, no, no, no, just give the baby. Let the baby live. Give it to the other woman. But the woman whose baby died and lied, she said, yeah, kill the baby half. Give her half. Give me half of the baby. That's it. And everyone was amazed. Wow, King Solomon, you're so wise." [00:15:41]

"Abraham did not have pride. He was humble. He prayed to God on behalf of others. He had compassion, even though those people, Lot, he forsook him and he took the better land. Number six, assuming someone else will step in to help. This is another blocker for compassion. And we read in the Bible the story of Esther, and she has a cousin, Mordecai. And Esther, her people, Israel, they were about to be slaughtered by Babylonians. And yet, she had to go into the king's chamber and say, hey, can you save us? But she was afraid. And so she told her cousin, Mordecai, and Mordecai said, Esther, if you don't go right now, if you don't do it, God will raise up somebody else. And if anything, God will make sure you perish yourself. Or 414." [00:19:03]

"So sometimes we are like Esther. We feel like, I'm in this position. I can help people, but I will not. Somebody else will. But the answer from God is that if you don't help others, you yourself will perish. And God will place somebody else instead of you to help them. So I want us to hear this. And understand what God wants from us. Number seven. Last one. Believing it is too feminine. Yeah. Too feminine. That's it. Very simple. In the Bible we have two brothers, Jacob and Esau. Jacob and Esau. And let's read about them. Genesis 25, 27. The boys grew up and Esau became a skillful hunter." [00:20:42]

"And so in today's society, what I want to say is that we look at manly men as, oh, yeah, that's the right thing. That's the right way. And men should never cry, never express emotion. And I want to get into Jesus. John 11, 35, the shortest verse in the Bible, Jesus wept. When Jesus came to the tomb of Lazarus, Lazarus was one of his best friends. And he comes, and he understands that everyone's crying because he died. Jesus suddenly sheds tears, bursts into weeping. Water comes out of his eyes. Tears. Jesus, the son of God. God has." [00:22:35]

"himself has compassion so much so that he cries for a person for a human being who died and this is what the bible teaches us hey it's not all about being manly man it's about having compassion compassion actually is better than being a manly man who never cries matthew 9 36 38 says this when he saw the crowds he had compassion jesus had compassion for the crowds for the people because they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd then he said to his disciples the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few therefore pray earnestly to the lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest jesus is saying to his disciples the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few therefore pray earnestly to the people because they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a compassion leads him into action just like god saved israel when they cried out god save us from slavery in egypt god heard their cries it says and he came to rescue them god had compassion and jesus has compassion on the two blind people on the road as he passes by he has compassion on them and so some people are these people some people are these people stativist i want to coin this word stativist right in this world we have activists but stativist is someone who just hears about things and they stay" [00:23:19]

"at home they watch the news oh that's so bad that's about this president should do that should do that should do that and yet they just crossed our arms and stay home and do nothing yeah stay to this stay to this in Los Angeles I went there this year at the beginning of this year because of my mother's death and I was with my dad driving and my dad he was driving under the bridge he stops on the road and I'm like why is he stopping here it's so weird and then he rolls down the window and there's a homeless person and my dad looks around and he finds as many coins as he can that he had and he takes them and he gives it to the homeless person he says God bless you God loves you and I saw that I watched that I'm like mmm interesting yes you that is the heart of God to have compassion on people those who are broken those who are in need and I pray that sarong Church we will be those people who will not be too busy but we will have compassion we will see the broken we will not degrade them but we will help them to stand back up again that will be a church that truly loves from the heart even our enemies when they fall down on the ground will be the Good Samaritan who helped them amen amen so I just want to finish with this again" [00:24:26]

"back to the main passage as they went out of jericho a great crowd followed him there's a pressure and behold there were two blind men sitting by the roadside and when they heard that jesus was passing by they cried out lord have mercy on us son of david the crowd rebuked them telling them to be silent but they cried out all the more lord have mercy on us son of david and stopping jesus called them and said what do you want me to do for you they said to him lord let our eyes be open and jesus had compassion he had compassion on them and touched their eyes and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him the end goal what's the goal of compassion is it just so people get better no the end goal of compassion as christians it is so that people follow him we must help people but at the same time spiritually we must tell them it is jesus who's helping them it is jesus who loves them amen so in summary we must uh these are the blockers for compassion unmoved feeling inadequate too busy lack of empathy pride assuming someone else will step in to help believing it is too feminine so we're going to take a moment right now we're just going to pray together that we will be people of compassion and we're going to pray for revival amen amen so pastor rub if you can also pray for us" [00:26:34]

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