“Compassionate Like Christ”
(Luke 7)
Aren’t you glad God has compassion, and heals, restores and forgives? God’s compassion is overwhelming, isn’t it?
In fact, would you say that word with me – compassion! Now look to the person to your right and say it…now to your left…nice! By now everyone should be feeling a little more sensitive, right? I hope so!
I’d like too focus your attention on that word today, for it is a clear theme of Luke 7. No doubt our passage today focuses on that word – compassion. So would you take out your Bible and locate Luke 7. I’m going to center in on the story that begins in 7:11. As we read, notice the following:
7:12 “the only son” – could it be he related to the mother’s sorrow since he was God’s only son? Interesting to say the least!
7:14 “touched the open coffin.” A ceremonially defiling act, normally. Jesus graphically illustrated how impervious He was to such defilements. When he touched the coffin, its defilement did not taint Him; rather, His power immediately dispelled the presence of all death and defilement (see notes on v. 39; 8:44). This was the first of 3 times Jesus raised people from the dead (cf. 8:49–56; John 11). Verse 22 implies that Christ also raised others who are not specifically mentioned.
7:15 “began to talk” – this was proof positive the boy was alive!
7:15 “gave him back to his mother” – the boy was a gift – twice!
But the best phrase in this passage is in 7:13. In fact, here’s what I want you to do: Circle the phrase in 7:13, “his heart went out to her.” This is actually one word in the Greek language – in the verb form it is σπλαγχνίζομαι [splagchnizomai ], and in the noun form σπλάγχνον [splagchnon].
It is used 23 times in the NT – There are 12 occurrences of the verb form (“have compassion” seven times, and “be moved with compassion” five times), and 11 occurrences of the noun form (AV translates as “bowels” nine times, “inward affection” once, and “tender mercy” once).
At the root of this word is splen (probably an early Greek root for the “spleen.”) Why? In that culture, the bowels were regarded as the seat of emotions. For Greeks, the center of violent passions, but for the Hebrews, the center of the more tender affections, especially kindness, benevolence, compassion. In fact, Paul used this same image when he talked about his “bowels of compassion.”
The point of this word is that true compassion – genuine, heartfelt empathy – is something that starts down deep. And this story in Luke 7 shows us that biblical compassion begins in the gut, wells up in the throat, flows out of the face, and works its way through our hands!
This is exactly what Jesus did – look at the progression in the passage: Jesus saw. Felt. Spoke. Acted. That’s compassion!
This type of pity – compassion – from our Lord shouldn’t surprise us, for compassion is one of the great character qualities of the Godhead! (And we should be glad!) It should bring us to a place of awe and worship!
God the Father – Lamentations 3:22
God the Son – Matthew 9:36
God the Holy Spirit – John 14:16
Even in this chapter, compassion is a trend in all of his encounters! Let me show you what I mean. Luke 7: 1-17 is about Christ showing physical compassion (in response to faith), Luke 7:18-35 is about Christ showing mental compassion (in response to questions), and Luke 7:36-50 is about Christ showing spiritual compassion (in response to repentance). My friend, God cares about you! As Peter wrote, “Cast all your care upon him, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7).
But I have discovered that it’s not God’s care or compassion that most people struggle with – it is the Christian community’s inability to copy God and be compassionate like him that frustrates us. The church too many times seems out of alignment with the Godhead! That’s where most people see a disconnect.
So this morning, allow me to use this story to help us learn how to be more compassionate, would you? I want you to give you some action points – steps to living compassionately – from the example of Jesus that are incredibly practical. In fact, you’ll probably think they are too basic…but as we talk about them, you’ll probably discover, like me, that we only say that to avoid the real truth: we’re not modeling Jesus like we should! For most of us, biblical compassion is a struggle. But perhaps these tips will help us be compassionate like Christ.
1. Take a long, hard look. In other words, don’t be afraid to see!
Admit it – We’re busy! And we’re scared! We are afraid to really see what’s out there. I’m not sure why, but we are; we’re afraid to see the world as it really is. One of the reasons we aren’t as aware of needs is because too many us never see them in person. But I believe you’ve got to get a look at it in person. You see, TV has numbed us (cause we can turn it off), our cars have numbed us (cause we can drive away), our neighborhoods have numbed us (cause we hide away). But when you actually go to the needy places, you can’t get away. So go so you can’t get away!
For instance, this past April our teens connected with Youth Leader Connection and went to MS to aid the hurricane victims. Why? So they could see it in person and help. Money id great, prayers are cool, but being there is the best.
Don’t wait till another hurricane to go somewhere. Visit local shelters, go downtown and help the homeless, go on a mission trip…go somewhere besides your basement!
Next, I encourage you to…
2. Embrace the deep feelings a long look brings. In other words, don’t be afraid to feel!
Did you know your emotions are made by God? That’s right – emotions are God’s way of sending you a message. Granted – that message often needs a filter, but it is still a message.
I get those messages a lot, especially during cheesy movies and MacDonald’s commercials. In our family, Julie and I are known as the criers. All movies and MacD’s commercials…we’re in tears! In fact, the other day while Julie and I were watching King Kong, I hear sniffles...she’s balling! It’s at the end when the planes are shooting at the ape, and she’s yelling, “Throw those planes down!” I’m like, “Honey, it’s a movie.”
You know, we all experience emotions…what do we do with them? Hey guys, here’s a hint: Don’t just deny it, translate it! Hey ladies, here’s hint: don’t just accept it, translate it! Bottom line: Emotions need translated, not eliminated. That’s why I say to you – Don’t be afraid to feel!
You know why a lot of us are afraid to feel? Because of our past! Previous pain, baggage, hurt, unpleasant memories…but bottling it up only dulls our compassion. If you want to be more compassionate, you’ve got to be willing to feel things…experience joy, sadness, etc.
Here’s another suggestion that will help you develop compassion…
3. Acknowledge the obvious feelings with words. In other words, don’t be afraid to speak! Too many times we clam up, when in reality we should speak up. We don’t have to say something deep, just something compassionate.
I realize that in times f tragedy or pain, most of us feel really self conscious…almost stupid when we try to say something. At a funeral, a hospital, on the phone...sometimes we fear being embarrassed or looking foolish. But that is actually just selfishness disguised. You are more worried about your feelings and image than the person actually in need. Hard as this is to hear, that’s a pretty selfish perspective in the middle of someone else’s pain and hurt.
Here’s a tip: address the obvious and wait. For instance, at one conference when my wife and I were listening to missionaries from Africa, she began to cry. She even shook at times about he devastation, needs, and poverty. I began to sense some awkwardness, but of course I didn’t let on that I was uneasy. Suddenly, she leans over to me and says in all seriousness while gripping my leg, “We need to move to Africa!” What? My wife is ready to move to Africa?! Fortunately, I knew enough to simply say, “If you want to go, I’m ready to go, too!” All I did was address the obvious and trust the Lord. That’s how words can help you address obvious feelings. We translated the feelings and situation later, but simply addressing the obvious at the moment helped us both get through a very sensitive time.
And finally,
4. Do something tangible to back up your words. In other words, don’t be afraid to act! Sometimes these actions are easy (in the sense of natural), like with Randy and Grace Young. Sometimes this is not easy – unnatural – because we have to address habits or addictions that got us into the mess. But done in a compassionate way, even confrontation can be compassionate. (Galatians 6:1)
The point? Do something, and do something now!
In our own town of Ankeny, at the elementary school my kids have all attended, a little 3rd grade boy was diagnosed with a brain tumor earlier this year – Isaac. Talk about a blow to a group of 3rd graders…whew! Well, those kids have been blessing that family for months now, and at his funeal the other day all the kids were there, sharing their letters and words, giving gifts to the family, hugging the other kids...it was a powerful scene of unashamed, simple compassion. You see, that’s compassion. Those kids saw, felt, spoke and acted. It’s time we adults follow suit. This morning, won’t you join me at the front as we pray, “Lord, give me a compassionate heart!” [Give invitation]
