The God of Compassion

What does the compassion of God look like in action? 

How does it sound?

“Soon afterward Jesus went with His disciples to the village of Nain, and a large crowd followed Him. A funeral procession was coming out as He approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. When the Lord saw her, His heart overflowed with compassion. ‘Don’t cry!’ He said. Then He walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. ‘Young man,’ He said, ‘I tell you, get up.’ Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother” (Luke 7:11-15) 

In Nain, we see Jesus in a typical day.  Normal people like you and me are around Him.  Each one is vulnerable and needs help.  How does Jesus read the situation?  What does He do?  The text says, “His heart overflowed with compassion.”

This is the exact opposite of how we might think He would act.  Something more akin to a judge who might label her, condemn her, lecture her, or even walk away.  Instead, Jesus’ compassionate actions and words communicate something to her and everyone around about who He is.  Because it’s one thing to say something for someone theoretically.  It’s a whole other thing actually to live it out.  Jesus lives it out.

Take a moment to put yourself into this experience.  Imagine being the woman.  How do you feel when Jesus looks at you for the first time?  When you realize He’s stopped to talk to you?  How do you feel when He speaks to you in a compassionate tone?  What goes through your mind as you realize your son is coming back to life?                                                           

How does being around Jesus make you feel?

A great way for us to encounter Jesus personally is to jot some thoughts down in a journal as we read the Bible. Although He’s no longer physically with us, the Holy Spirit, the living presence of God is.  We are assured, Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, meaning who He is, His nature and identity, never change (see Hebrews 13:8). So, the compassionate, non-judgmental way He treated the woman in Nain is the exact same way He treats you and me.