The first line of a song kept floating through my mind. “Everyone needs compassion.”
I couldn’t place the song and finally googled and you-tubed it. I found the title, “Mighty To Save”, sung by Hillsong and by Chris Tomlin at Passion. Then I remembered, we had sung it at a Women’s Ministries Bible group I have attended a few times.
It still kept floating in and out and I listened to the song a few times online. Beautiful melody and very touching.
Compassion.
I pondered on this concept. What does it really mean to have compassion?
Compassion:a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.
I find the model of compassion in the Bible in story after story.
At dawn, Jesus was in the temple court. People gathered around Him and He began to teach them. I can see the people listening intently and eagerly, drinking in His words. Some there out of curiosity. Some there, so glad to be near Him. Some skeptical. Some deciding. Some believing.
A stir. A commotion. Definitely what I would call an interruption. The scribes and Pharisees bring in a woman. They make her stand in front of the crowd. In front of Jesus. And they accuse her. “This woman was caught in the act of adultery. This woman should be stoned. This is what the Law of Moses tells us to do with such a woman. What do you say?“
John 8:6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing Him.
I love what Jesus does. He doesn’t turn to the woman like I might be tempted to. He doesn’t say, “What were you thinking?” “You know better!” “How could you?” “You deserve whatever happens to you.”
He could’ve said any of those things. They were true. He could’ve said many other things. He could’ve given her a sermon. He could’ve lectured. He didn’t.
He could see the woman. Really see her. He could see the hurt deep inside. He could see the fears and failures, just like He can see mine. He could see her regrets. He could see like I can’t see. He could see the trap and web she was caught in. He could see every detail of every moment in her life. He could see the desires of her heart and her disgrace. He saw.
And He had compassion.
He knew the Pharisees didn’t care about the woman. She was just an easy target, a way to get at Jesus. I’m not sure they even really cared that she had sinned. They certainly didn’t care about her salvation. And they certainly didn’t see her as a person worthy of compassion. But Jesus did. Just like He sees me worthy of compassion.
Jesus quietly bent down and began to write on the ground. In the dirt from which He had formed this woman and those Pharisees.
Quietly writing in the dust, did nothing to satisfy the Pharisees. They kept on questioning Him. I can see them buzzing and swarming around Him like bees. They had an issue and it needed addressed! Just like things I make issues out of.
Jesus straightened up. I can see Him looking at them. Deeply looking at them in quiet concentration and concern. Then Jesus speaks, “IF any of you have no sin, then you be the first one to throw a stone at her.” After speaking His simple and profound proclamation, He stoops back over and continues to write in the earth.
I think the buzzing has stopped and quiet has surrounded them.
Furtive glances at each other, at the crowd. At the ground. Anyone with no sin. Turning around they begin to go away. One at a time, the older ones first.
Jesus is left alone, with the woman still standing there. He straightens up and he looks at her. Looks with compassion. He asks her this, “Where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, Lord,” she replies.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus responds, “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
I think this woman went away changed and rejoicing. I think she went away with compassion and mercy for others. I think she went away a new creature. She had seen the Savior, she had been forgiven by the Savior, she had been redeemed by the Savior.
I want to hear the rest of her story someday.
And I want His compassion.
Everyone needs compassion, Love that’s never failing; Let mercy fall on me.
Everyone needs forgiveness, The kindness of a Saviour; The Hope of nations.
Saviour, He can move the mountains, My God is Mighty to save, He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation, He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave.
So take me as You find me, All my fears and failures, Fill my life again.
I give my life to follow Everything I believe in, Now I surrender.
My Saviour, He can move the mountains, My God is Mighty to save, He is Mighty to save. Forever, Author of salvation, He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave.
Shine your light and let the whole world see, We’re singing for the glory of the risen King…Jesus
My Saviour, He can move the mountains, My God is Mighty to save, He is Mighty to save. Forever, Author of salvation, He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave.
My Saviour, you can move the mountains, You are mighty to save, You are mighty to save. Forever, Author of Salvation, You rose and conquered the grave, Yes you conquered the grave.
Mighty to Save by Hillsong
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Becky King says
This is so well written! Please send it to the Testimony!! It brought a verse from another hymn to my mind: “This was compassion of our God, For as the Saivor knew The price of pardon was his blood, His pity ne’er withdrew.” 155 in our hymnbook.