Go and do thou likewise
What is compassion?
To enter sympathetically into someone’s sorrow and pain.
To show fellow feeling.
To extend mercy and help when we see someone’s pain.
To show pity in the kind sense.
Jesus is a compassionate Saviour. So many times he showed compassion. Compassion when expressed usually leads to action whether in healing, prayer, or appropriate help etc.
Examples of Jesus' compassion
For the Multitude
Matthew 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
For the blind
Matthew 20:34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.
For Jerusalem
Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
For the Leper
Mark 1:41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.
For the Bereaved
Luke 7:13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
The Good Samaritan
One of the most outstanding acts of compassion was told in the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Luke 10:29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
37 And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Q. Who is your neighbour? A. Anyone that you can see needs your help.
The Samaritan owed the wounded man nothing but recognized that a fellow human being (made in the image of God) was suffering and needed serious help and care.
This compassion is a facet of the Love of God.
The Good Samaritan firstly took the risk of assisting the wounded man as the robbers could still have been around. There would be plenty of blood on the victim yet the Samaritan helped him, gave him first aid and took him to a place of safety where he could recover. He also paid the wounded man’s expenses promising that he would meet the wounded victim’s full bill. This Samaritan showed great compassion and gave a wonderful example to us of how to show compassion especially to a stranger.
Jesus say to us today 'Go, and do thou likewise.'
Amen
Personal Prayer