(by pastor Norman)

“The Lord is very compassionate and merciful” (James 5:11b; NKJV). The word compassionate here has the sense of tender mercy, love and affection, a very deep love, compassion, pity and sympathy. When Jesus saw the crowds that came to Him, He was “Moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd “(Matt 9:36; NKJV). His compassion moved Him to heal the sick (Matt 14:14), feed the 5,000 (Matt 14:13-21) and raise the widow of Nain’s only son from the dead (Luke 7:13). Jesus in His teaching, gave us powerful accounts of compassion. The prodigal son asked his father for his share of his inheritance. The son went away and wasted everything. He returned humbly to his father who greeted him with compassion and celebration, overjoyed to receive his son home alive (Luke 15:11-31). A man on a journey from Jerusalem to Jericho was attacked by thieves and left badly wounded (Luke 10: 30-37). A priest and a Levite saw the man lying there but simply walked away. A Samaritan stopped, had compassion and cared for the wounded traveler. Samaritans were descendants of Jews who had intermarried with Gentiles. Jesus tells us, “You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate” (Luke 6:36; NLT). In the apostle Paul’s epistle to the Colossians, he tells us to, “Clothe yourselves with compassion” (Col 3:12; NIV). Let’s follow God’s word and have compassion on those around us.