Compassion

James 5:11 NIV The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

We often try to humanize God, reading about Him and comparing Him with ourselves. When it comes to compassion, we are often referring to an emotion: sympathy or feeling sorry for someone based on their circumstances. What we refer to as emotions—love, joy, or compassion—are the very nature and makeup of God. It is not something He does but who He is; everything God does flows from a heart of compassion.

Multiple times, scripture records that Jesus was “moved with compassion.” Mark 1:40-41 records one of his earliest healing miracles: “And a leper came to Jesus, begging Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, ‘If You are willing, You can make me clean.’” Jesus was moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” To the weary and helpless (Matthew 9:36), when the widow’s dead son was raised (Luke 7:13), to the two men who were healed of blindness (Matthew 20:34), and when the multitude followed him into the wilderness, Jesus was moved with compassion and healed all their blind, their dying, and their demon-possessed (Matthew 14:14). 

The word used in scripture conveys that Jesus was moved with compassion from his innermost being. It wasn’t just feeling sorry for the person, but they touched Jesus at the very core of his being. The phrase "moved with compassion" means "stirred to action," not just an emotion or something verbally expressed. Biblical compassion is more than sympathy; it is an expression of love, an active response to the needs of others. We are called to look at Him, to surrender ourselves, and to allow God to express His nature through us, which is compassion, grace, and mercy.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, the key difference between the priest, Levite, and Samaritan was compassion. “But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion.” (Luke 10:33). The prodigal son’s father was “moved with compassion” when he saw his son still far off (Luke 15:20). In the parable of the ungrateful servant, he was lacking compassion for his fellow servant. “Then his master said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave all that debt. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had on you?’” (Matthew 18:32-33). God’s call on those who are redeemed, born-again followers is clear: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32).

The Lord’s compassion is based upon his covenant relationship with us. “But the Lord was gracious to them and had compassion on them and turned to them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” (2 Kings 13:23). God’s relationship with us is not transactional or based on good works. It is solely on God’s compassion and the sacrifice of his Son to pay the debt of our sin. This covenant relationship allows God to express steadfast love, compassion, and mercy, continually guiding us into His presence. “His compassions never fail; they are new every morning.” (Lamentations 3:22-23).

When Jesus returns, He will say, “Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.” (Matthew 25:31-40). It is not the specific acts, but those who are moved with compassion to do something…this is what Jesus is looking for!

Receive God’s compassion and step into His presence. Express God’s compassion and hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21).

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To subscribe: www.livingoaksministry.com                                   Copyright 2025 Living Oaks Ministry

Gary and Sandy Anthony

Luke 6:36-37 NIV Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Colossians 3:12-13 NAS So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

2 Corinthians 1:3 NIV Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.

Exodus 34:6 NLT The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.

Romans 9:15 NAS For God says to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.

Psalms 86:15 NLT But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.

Psalms 103:8 NLT The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

Psalms 116:5 NLT How kind the Lord is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours!

Psalms 103:13-14 NIV As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed; he remembers that we are dust.

Psalms 145:8-9 NIV The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.

Lamentations 3:22-23 NAS The Lord’s loving kindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.

Philippians 2:1-2 NAS Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, and intent on one purpose.

Isaiah 49:13 NLT Sing for joy, O heavens! Rejoice, O earth! Burst into song, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on them in their suffering.

Matthew 9:36 NAS Seeing the people, Jesus felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.

Matthew 15:32 NAS And Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way.

Matthew 14:14 NAS When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick.

Galatians 6:2 NIV Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

1 Peter 3:8 NIV Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, and be compassionate and humble.