Series Purpose:
We must gain a perspective on how living as a Christian may be different now that we are, for the most part, on the “other side” of the pandemic. We will grasp that there are things to “unlearn” – setting aside old ideas – and “learn” gaining new understanding for real outreach and discipleship post COVID.
Today's focus:
It’s been said that we are living in a “desert of empathy” or “drought of compassion.” As believers, we may be the only source of love and compassion left in our day-to-day world.

-Compassion is at an all-time low in our society. Researchers have begun to use the term 'compassion fatigue' to describe this widespread decline in the ability to feel and act from a place of compassion.
-One researcher states it this way, "Essentially, compassion fatigue disturbs the ability to think clearly, modulate emotions, feel effective, and maintain hope."

Jesus begins teaching - out of a heart of compassion. Compassion is his initial response. He leads with compassion.

If Jesus’s response is compassion, what is ours?

-We can never escape the fact that, Jesus couldn’t give just one – Love God.
He had to give the second (remember, He was only asked for “the greatest.”).
-Jesus is saying that 'all the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments'. All the truth of God hangs on these together.

Verses for further study/reflection:
Colossians 3:12-13
Matthew 14:14
1 Peter 3:8

"Compassion costs. It is easy enough to argue, criticize, and condemn, but redemption is costly, and comfort draws from the deep. Brains can argue, but it takes heart to comfort."
Samuel Chadwick

"Compassion is sometimes the fatal capacity for feeling what it is like to live inside somebody else's skin. It is the knowledge that there can never really be any peace and joy for me until there is peace and joy finally for you too."
Frederick Buechner

"Compassion will cure more sins than condemnation."
Henry Ward Beecher