What to Wear as a Follower of Jesus: Compassion
Some years ago I wrote a series of blog posts on “What to Wear as a Child of God,” based on Colossians 3. I think, in this turbulent time, it would be good for me to revisit them and perhaps update them—for myself, and for all my friends who follow Jesus. So join me in looking at the raiment of Compassion.
Photo by Shane Rounce on Unsplash
I cry easily and often when I observe pain and suffering.
I find compassion welling up in me when I see tragic situations and destructive actions and painful realities. It can be the terror of a tornado (nearby!) or starving children in a prolonged drought or the horrors of war or blatant injustice.
But probably nothing has elicited such visceral compassion (and other emotions) in me and millions of others as has watching the video of George Floyd gasping “I can’t breathe” as he is slowly killed.
WHAT IS COMPASSION?
The Apostle Paul tells us, “…as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion.” (Colossians 3:12)
The English dictionary defines compassion as “a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for one who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.
God’s Word adds much richness to this word. Scriptural nuances include: to suffer what someone else suffers, to sympathetically participate in grief. It is closely tied to grace.
An emotional expression of crying and feeling with someone who is hurting conveys compassion and includes the intent to help, a will to change the situation.
A mother's (Isaiah 49:15) or father's (Psalm 103:13) love and feelings of pity and devotion to a helpless child embody a deep emotional feeling seeking a concrete expression of love.
The prodigal son's father had compassion on him (Luke 15:20). The Good Samaritan acted compassionately toward the injured traveler (Luke 10:33).
THE TRUE MODEL
Jesus lived out compassion throughout His ministry:
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36)
“Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.” (Matthew 20:34)
“I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat.” (Mark 8:2)
This is what God has called us to. To put on, or clothe, ourselves with compassion. To live out the feelings of care, concern and empathy in action to benefit those we love, are concerned for, or just encounter with a need. To suffer what someone else suffers, to sympathetically participate in grief.
Most of us have compassionate feelings when we see loss, hurt, need. Jesus asks us to take the next step, to put feet to our empathy, to do something in response. To “wear” our compassion.
PROPERLY DRESSED
Personally I’m often too busy. Or distracted. Or tired. But God has given me some opportunities. By sponsoring children with Compassion. By taking time in the moment to pray for a need expressed. To listen as a friend pours out her heart. To share my abundance of clothes and things with those who have less. I encourage the members of our Prayer for Prodigals community to treat their loved ones compassionately.
Or as I (hopefully) did with Robert some time ago. Steve and I stopped at McDonald’s halfway through a long drive home. As we reached the door I saw the bike covered with camo backpacks and blankets. Then inside I saw who it belonged to—he was finishing a cup of coffee. His name was Robert, a Vietnam veteran, also covered in camouflage. I gave him some money, more than he usually received but far less than he needed. But then I gave something also important—a listening ear, some visibility, a little dignity.
He told me his story, even as people coming in stared. One unfair, hard luck situation after another. I believed him—why would he lie to me? I left him with a prayer and blessing. I hope I was wearing Jesus’ style of compassion.
And now, we have come face to face with visible opportunities to get dressed with true compassion. To suffer what someone else suffers, to sympathetically participate in grief. To move beyond our comfort zones and indifference, to see and hear and enter in to the tears and fears, the anger and injustice. To listen and learn and love.
My prayer for myself and my sisters and brothers in Christ is that we will clothe ourselves in the compassion God has given to us as we seek to listen to our black and other friends and neighbors of color, to hear the pain and see the suffering. That we will have open hearts and hands to all—those like us and those different from us. That we will be dressed like Jesus.
What about you? Are you wearing compassion? Does your compassion take action?
C2020 Judy Douglass