Cultivating a Heart of CompassionSample

Day 2: Compassion in Understanding

Have you ever felt upset when someone didn’t receive the consequences you thought they deserved? Maybe someone did something wrong but escaped the punishment.

This is exactly what the Pharisees faced in John 8:1-11. They brought a woman to Jesus who had been caught in adultery, believing she deserved to be stoned. Jesus, however, extends compassion to the woman instead of judging her.

Jesus responded unexpectedly. He told them that anyone without sin could cast the first stone. One by one, they walked away, reminded by Jesus that they, too, were not without sin. As a result, they dropped their judgment.

Often, in our judgment of other people, we forget that we too have fallen short. Romans 3:23 says, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” The Pharisees seemed to ignore or forget that they were sinners, just like this woman. When we remember that we too are prone to sin it helps us be more understanding of others. All of us have messed up and need compassion, forgiveness, and a new start—just like Jesus extended to this woman.

Colossians 3:12 tells us that we, “must clothe ourselves with tenderhearted mercy…” Having tenderhearted mercy means that we are moved with deep compassion. As we live out a life of compassion, we become people who are more understanding. Jesus understood that the woman had sinned, but was so moved by His love for her that He kept her safe from the harm of the Pharisees.

It can be difficult to extend compassion to others, especially when we feel like they deserve a certain consequence. We should follow the example of Jesus by extending mercy to others. This does not mean we ignore the sins of people, because that’s not what Jesus did. Jesus tells the woman to “Go and sin no more” (John 8:11). What we can do is approach people with understanding, knowing that they too are prone to sin just like we are.

Is there someone who has shown you mercy and compassion at a time you didn’t deserve it? How did their compassion make you feel? Is there someone in your life whom you constantly judge, but haven’t extended compassion to? How can you show compassion and understanding to them this week?