Teaching and Modeling CompassionSample

Compassion Instead of Disagreement

Depending on which Bible version you are reading, the word “compassion” can be found in Scripture anywhere from 48 to 108 times. Our God self-describes as “a God of compassion” and he calls us to show compassion to others. Story after story in Scripture confirms we serve a compassionate God.

Even where the word “compassion” isn’t used, we see compassionate acts over and over in the Bible. The Hebrew and Greek words for “compassion” mean “to have mercy, to feel sympathy, and to have pity.” As believers, we want to cultivate these traits in ourselves and in our children. We need look no further than how Jesus showed compassion to those with diseases, to the outcasts, and to those who made horrible decisions in their lives like the woman at the well. His own motley crew of followers included the hated tax collector Matthew, a formerly demon-possessed woman, and a group of uneducated fishermen. Where he does not show compassion is toward the self-sufficient, proud and arrogant—those who look down on others.

While we personally might not know a formerly demon-possessed person or a tax collector, we certainly rub shoulders with people in different socio-economic groups, with different educational backgrounds, and differing political stances. Politics are a hot button issue today, creating divisions left and right, even among Believers. Rancor disrupts family gatherings. Friendships split. Tension joins family holidays along with the turkey.

But in the Beatitudes, we are called to be peacemakers. Being a peacemaker doesn’t imply agreeing with every viewpoint, but we are to put aside anger and malice and remember Jesus is the only Good Shepherd. Some people need our compassion because they need a Good Shepherd who will teach them truth. We can show them compassion rather than rancor by praying God leads them into wisdom and truth.

Perhaps as we study compassion in the Bible, you can share these insights with your children and teach them what compassion looks like, brainstorming with them how your family can model Christ in this important trait.

Over the next several days, we will look at ways to exercise compassion in our world and ways to cultivate compassionate hearts in our children.