Stephen Crane’s story “The Open Boat” tells the tale of four men attempting to survive in a lifeboat at sea. One of the men ironically reflected on a poem he had read as a schoolboy about a soldier fighting in Algiers. The man realized that “he had never considered it his affair that a soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers, nor had it appeared to him as a matter for sorrow. It was less to him than breaking of a pencil’s point.” He hadn’t felt compassion for the soldier—until now.
The word compassion (Luke 10:33) literally means “to suffer with someone.” Our ability to feel others’ pain may be lacking until we find ourselves suffering through our own pain. We can so easily live selfishly—desiring to be kept from hardship and death. Like the expert in religious law who tested Jesus, we justify our own apathetic response when it comes to fulfilling the latter part of what Jesus said was the greatest commandment (Luke 10:27).
If narcissistic self-love is an effect of the fall, then we must understand what Jesus meant when He identified loving ourselves as the key to loving others (Romans 13:8-10). Not referring to eros (passion), phileo (brotherly love) or even storge (family affection), He commands us to live out God’s agape love, and in the words of C. S. Lewis, “Agape is all giving, not getting.”
Far more than an admonition to do good deeds, the Good Samaritan mirrors the power of the cross in his willingness to “suffer with” the injured man (Mark 8:31; Luke 24:44-47). Saving us from our sharpest place of desperation, Jesus showed great compassion as He gave His life for us. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, may we do no less for others (Luke 10:27).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Exodus 5:1-23
More:
Read James 2:1-8 and consider how this passage reveals the importance of loving and caring for others.
Next:
How can difficult circumstances be a training ground for learning compassion? What have you learned about compassion from others?
gagirllive on February 4, 2016 at 7:12 am
“Narcissistic self-love”…this is surely my default without God’s intervention in my life. Because Christ stepped into my brokenness and pain, and became my substitute, I know and experience His compassion for me. He not only suffered with me, but He suffered for me. My High Priest identified Himself with my plight in the greatest way possible. This is where I have learned compassion also. When I identify myself with someone else’s suffering, I feel their pain as though it were my own. It’s not easy because I have to stop and take the time to care…not “pass by on the other side”. A life of compassion is a life that is often times open to interruptions…being willing to recognize those divine appointments. This post challenges me to pay closer attention to that. Thanks, Regina.
Tom Felten on February 4, 2016 at 7:55 am
Regina, without the work of the Holy Spirit in my heart, compassion and empathy would definitely be lacking in my life. It’s vital for me to begin each day by acknowledging my need to submit to His work and to seek to be filled with His fruit!
sandy229 on February 4, 2016 at 9:09 am
Mercy is an undeserved gift. Since God gives us mercy, we have to empathize with others, and with agape like love for others we can do that. If we treat others how we would want to be treated in any situation, we can show them mercy. No one has ever sinned against us to the degree that we have sinned against God so if we love God, we will show mercy to everyone no matter what they do to us. This is easier said than done. I just pray that I will be able to always do this, show compassion for everyone whether or not they deserve it, it doesn’t matter.
sandy229 on February 4, 2016 at 9:09 am
Thank you Regina for today’s devotion.
Mike Wittmer on February 4, 2016 at 9:11 am
May God fill us with compassion for others. One thing I’ve discovered is that it’s easier to feel compassion when I am down than when I am up. So even when things are going well, if I remember my sin I am able to better feel compassion for the struggles of others.