Teaching and Modeling CompassionNäide

Compassion to the Hurting

In Luke 7 we see Jesus entering the town of Nain, coming upon a large crowd carrying out a deceased person—the only son of a widow. When Jesus saw the grieving mother, he felt compassion on her and healed her son. Because of Jesus’ power, “the dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.” Luke 7:11-15

Jesus’ deep heart of compassion towards the hurting serves as our model for caring for the grieving. While we might not be able to raise someone from the dead or dramatically remove people’s pain in the way Jesus could heal, we can weep with those who weep.

So often we don’t know how to care for the hurting or grieving. Some of us start babbling in the presence of the wounded to fill the awkward silence, unaware our words might contribute to more pain by being received as insensitive. In John 11:32-35, we see Mary come to Jesus in grief over her brother’s death. She fell at Jesus’ feet, saying if He had been here, her brother would not have died. Scripture tells us he was greatly moved in his spirit when he saw Mary’s grief—and He wept.

The incarnate God wept.

If we offer unsolicited advice, minimize a person’s pain by reminding them their loved one is in heaven, and essentially attempt to cheer up the grieving, we fail to enter their pain. But Jesus came in person to those who were hurting. He touched them. He gave the gift of “presence.”

Offering the gift of presence brings profound comfort. After a loss or during a hard season in someone’s life, we can do errands, make meals, send flowers, write a note, attend a service, clean house, care for small children, or make a hospital visit.

Or we can weep with them. No words needed.

Night after dark night, our televisions beam hard news into our homes—news of suffering people in floods, famines, wars, and as victims of horrific crimes. Some people choose to turn off their televisions and focus on what is good, true, and honorable. No judgement there. However, what if we imitated our Savior’s posture and refused to look away, but instead wept and prayed over the evening news, inviting our children to join us in prayer for a hurting world? How might our children’s anxiety be soothed as they witness us bring the world to the feet of Jesus? Let’s try and see.