A compassionate Jesus

BY REV. DORAL PULLEY

Scripture References: Matthew 9:36, Matthew 14:14

Compassion is the ability to identify with the emotions of others.  Although we may not have had the exact same experience that a person has had, we can identify with the emotions resulting from the experience.  When allow ourselves to relate to the experiences of others and resonate with the emotions of others, we are being compassionate.

In addition to being a man of passion (deep emotions), Jesus Christ was also a man of compassion.  Two specific examples in scripture dramatically illustrate Jesus Christ’s capacity for compassion. The first is compassion for the lost and the second is compassion for the sick.

When Jesus Christ looked at the multitudes and saw them as lost, he felt compassion.  Mary and Joseph considered twelve-year-old Jesus to be lost when they could not find him in the temple.  When they finally found him, he was asking and answering questions.  A part of him must have felt lost when he didn’t know where his parents were.  Jesus Christ had to know something about being lost because he taught about the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son (Luke 15).

Jesus Christ was also noted for his compassion for the sick.  In fact, a major part of his ministry was spent in healing, even those with seemingly incurable diseases.  No specific chapter and verse describes him as being physically sick, but he must have experienced a physical challenge because he was able to identify it and relate to it in others.  We can only see the things in others that we have experienced.

Reflection Question: How can you be more compassionate?

Succeeds competence

Rev. Doral Pulley is the senior pastor of Unity Temple of Truth Church, 511 Prescott St. S, St. Petersburg.