Compassion in Christ

by Steve Bell
Lubbock, Texas

All of God’s word shows His love and compassion for us. We see many great examples of his power to lead His people from danger and harm to a place of safety and prosperity. There are also many cases where the sick and infirm are restored to health, or raised from the dead. In fact, the greatest example of compassion is Jesus and his death, burial and resurrection. With a God so powerful and merciful, it is sometimes very difficult to reconcile that with the fact that there is so much suffering and death in the world, both in the past and present. Some people say, “How could a God, if one exists, allow so many people to suffer?” Many have denied their faith in God, because they do not have an answer to this important question.

The Bible tells us of the compassionate acts that Jesus performed and His teachings about this topic. Jesus extends mercy and compassion to us for our bodily needs and specifically uses them to show His great power to overcome these weaknesses. We are more aware of our physical circumstances than we are of our spiritual conditions. Although we naturally reject His offer of mercy, we should understand that the opportunity to receive spiritual help from Jesus is more important than what is required for our physical bodies. The experiences that Jesus had with confronting earthly temptations and suffering puts Him in a unique position to help us. And by his example, we are commanded to be merciful and compassionate to one another.

Few things are as comforting as being in the embrace of someone we trust. The embrace is a shield against whatever potential harm may be present. Isaiah prophesied about Jesus, the great shepherd, who embraces His sheep. In Isa 40:11 he said,

“11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. (KJV)”

When we labor in the field for Jesus we will face dangers and hardships. We may be under circumstances that are cruel and unjust. In spite of these difficulties, we are not to forsake our service for Christ. Paul illustrates this idea in 1 Cor 4:10-13 where we read,

“10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor. 11 To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless; 12 and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; 13 when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, {even} until now. (NAS)”

Jesus knows that we will face danger and injustices, and therefore He can take these problems away for us. When Peter’s mother-in-law was sick, He had compassion on her; we read from Matt 8:14-17,

“14 And when Jesus had come to Peter's home, He saw his mother-in-law lying sick in bed with a fever. 15 And He touched her hand, and the fever left her; and she arose, and waited on Him. 16 And when evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed; and He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were ill 17 in order that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, "He Himself took our infirmities, and carried away our diseases." (NAS)”

Jesus embraces us and relieves us of our infirmities and weaknesses.

Often in our society, those that are weak, sick, or downtrodden are ignored, cast aside and abandoned. Many times the problems of life are overwhelming and too much for us to handle. Jesus does not abandon those who are weak or needy, but extends comfort and aid to them, enabling them to conquer their adversities. In Rom 8:35-37 the writer asks rhetorically,

“35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written, "For Thy sake we are being put to death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. (NAS)”

Indeed, the compassion of Christ is offered to those who need it most. Jesus was filled with compassion when He perceived that the crowds were helpless and adrift, as we read from Matt 9:35-36,

“35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (NIV)”

God displays His approval of Christ’s compassion for mankind because He was with Christ during His ministry. Acts 10:36-38 shows us that the authority of God rested with Christ,

“36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached—38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. (NIV)”

Just as 1 Cor 4 tells us of the variety of perils we will face as we serve Christ, so also is the variety of comforts we will receive from Him. The psalmist says in Ps 71:21,

“21 Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side. (KJV)”

While we may feel overwhelmed with the difficulties we face from day to day, the comfort we have in Jesus far exceeds the problems we may have. For every trouble we have, there is a solution in Christ. For every hardship, there is relief. The apostle Paul shows us this great principle in 2 Cor 1:5-7 where we read,

“5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. 6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; 7 and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are {sharers} of our comfort. (NAS)”

Paul’s view of his human frailties was that they were to be boasted of to amplify the power of Christ. You recall that when the Lord was giving instructions to Ananias, He would show him how great things he would suffer for Christ. The litany of Paul’s problems is related in 2 Cor 11:23-30,

“23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? 30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. (NIV)”

He further explains that the life of Jesus is revealed in the weakness and mortality of our bodies. We read of this in 2 Cor 4:10-11,

“10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. (NIV)”

One of the most difficult passages of the New Testament to understand is the account of the resurrection of Lazarus. This is found in John 11:1-46,

“1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 And it was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3 The sisters therefore sent to Him, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick." 4 But when Jesus heard it, He said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified by it."

“5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. 6 When therefore He heard that he was sick, He stayed then two days {longer} in the place where He was. 7 Then after this He said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again." 8 The disciples said to Him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and are You going there again?" 9 Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 "But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him."

“11 This He said, and after that He said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, that I may awaken him out of sleep." 12 The disciples therefore said to Him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover." 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep. 14 Then Jesus therefore said to them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, 15 and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him." 16 Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, said to {his} fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him."

“17 So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off; 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them concerning {their} brother. 20 Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him; but Mary still sat in the house. 21 Martha therefore said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 "Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You."

23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother shall rise again." 24 Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." 25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" 27 She said to Him, "Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, {even} He who comes into the world."

“28 And when she had said this, she went away, and called Mary her sister, saying secretly, "The Teacher is here, and is calling for you." 29 And when she heard it, she arose quickly, and was coming to Him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha met Him. 31 The Jews then who were with her in the house, and consoling her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there.

“32 Therefore, when Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet, saying to Him, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." 33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her, {also} weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit, and was troubled, 34 and said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see." 35 Jesus wept. 36 And so the Jews were saying, "Behold how He loved him!" “37 But some of them said, "Could not this man, who opened the eyes of him who was blind, have kept this man also from dying?"

“38 Jesus therefore again being deeply moved within, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. 39 Jesus said, "Remove the stone." Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been {dead} four days." 40 Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you, if you believe, you will see the glory of God?" 41 And so they removed the stone. And Jesus raised His eyes, and said, "Father, I thank Thee that Thou heardest Me. 42 "And I knew that Thou hearest Me always; but because of the people standing around I said it, that they may believe that Thou didst send Me."

“43 And when He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth." 44 He who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings; and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go."

“45 Many therefore of the Jews, who had come to Mary and beheld what He had done, believed in Him. 46 But some of them went away to the Pharisees, and told them the things which Jesus had done. (NAS)”

The key passages in this reading are: First, the invocation sent to Jesus my Mary and Martha. “He whom You love is sick”, not “He who loves you”, and not “He whom we love”. Notice the subtlety of this plea. This was not a direct invitation, but of course that is exactly what it was. This passage illustrates the idea that Jesus shares the concern we have for one another.

The second key passage is, “Therefore … He stayed then two days longer in the place where He was.” Many questions come to mind when reading this section. Why did Jesus delay going to Bethany? Why would he allow Lazarus to suffer? Why allow Mary and Martha to agonize over Lazarus’ deteriorating condition? We are given insight into Jesus’ plan in verse fifteen where he states “so that you may believe” and in verse four “that the Son of God may be glorified by it”.

The third key passage: “You are going there again?” and “Lord, he has fallen asleep and he will recover.” Jesus and His disciples had just been in the region of Jerusalem not long before this was taking place. They had been run out of town and treated roughly. The disciples were understandably reluctant to return. So they were trying to convince Jesus that it was just too dangerous to go to Jerusalem and Bethany right then. Further, after Jesus told them that Lazarus had fallen asleep, they mistakenly thought that he was physically resting. They then tried another approach, trying to convince Christ that there was no real need for them to go to Bethany since his fever must have passed and we was resting comfortably. Jesus then plainly states, “Lazarus is dead.”

The fourth key passage, actually the same phrase repeated, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” Both sisters make this observation to Jesus. It is then that Jesus gives the important teaching on the resurrection in Him. By repeating the exact phrase, John is drawing our attention to the notion that had Jesus been present when Lazarus was still alive, his illness could have been cured. This comment is stated once again in verse 37 when the Jews said, “Could not this man, who opened the eyes of him who was blind, have kept this man also from dying?”

This sets the stage for what I believe to be the most important lesson we can learn from this study; which is, the comfort we can receive from Jesus can only be increased by receiving comfort from a greater problem. In the second key passage it says, “Therefore … He stayed then two days longer in the place where He was.” Notice it says, therefore, meaning “so that”. It does not show a callous attitude by Jesus as would have been indicated if the passage said, “Yet … He stayed then two days longer…” “So that” the Son of God may be glorified.

The remainder of the reading relates the resurrection of Lazarus and the authority by which Jesus did this deed. Had Jesus been present at the sickbed of Lazarus and healed him, He would have done nothing that hadn’t already been done on many other occasions. If Jesus had raised him from the dead shortly after his death, He would have done something that had already been done for a few. But by delaying His arrival by the space of four days, He was able to do for Lazarus what had never been done for anyone. The greater comfort and compassion was exhibited in the way Jesus chose to manage this situation, by contrasting life with mortality.

Even though we obviously would prefer to be healthy, pain-free and trouble-free, these very problems give Jesus the opportunity to show His mercy and compassion. Paul did not feel ashamed of his physical disabilities and instead declared that Christ would be exalted. We read in Phil 1:20,

“20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I shall not be put to shame in anything, but {that} with all boldness, Christ shall even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. (NAS)”

We enter into fellowship with Christ as he extends compassion and mercy to us that transforms us to be like Him. Phil 3:10-11 says,

“10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (KJV)”

While it may be dangerous to say that we have a certain quota of suffering allocated to us, there is a degree of suffering that will fall to Christians and this is what Jesus uses to exhibit His power. Read with me from Col 1:23-24,

“23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister. 24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ's afflictions. (NAS)”

One of the greatest risks in this life is rejecting the compassion that Jesus offers to us. He mourns the lost opportunities to help His lost children. Matt 23:37 clearly shows this lament,

“37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. (NAS)”

When we do turn to Christ for comfort, we are being shortsighted if we think that the only time He can help us is now, physically. The physical ailments we experience are sometimes extremely unpleasant, but the spiritual sickness we face in this life and the life to come is far more serious. The apostle Paul encourages us to think spiritually when we think of hope in Jesus. The passage in 1 Cor 15:19 relates this to us,

“19 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. (NAS)”

Alone, we are incapable of withstanding the pressure required to bear the weight of our own sins. It took the blood of the sinless Son of God to do that. Compassion is central to the idea of salvation. The physical and spiritual grieves have been borne by the Lamb of God, Isa 53:3-5,

“3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (KJV)”

Where Col 1:24 refers to the afflictions of Christ that are lacking, it is referring to the idea that there are afflictions we suffer that make us more like Christ who suffered more than anyone, for everyone. We cannot fill His mold, but He does extend mercy to us when we are having hardships. He gave himself for us, Eph 5:2,

“2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. (KJV)”

He is the ultimate example of compassion, dying once and for all, 2 Cor 5:13-15,

“13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. (NAS)”

To be merciful and compassionate, one must have some frame of reference to whoever is in need. Jesus lived among men and was tempted as we are. He knows the problems and temptations we face. Because He was here on the face of the earth, He is sympathetic to our plight. Heb 4:15, teaches us that Jesus is sympathetic with us,

“15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. (NKJ)”

Further, the experience He has extends to spiritual perils, because He was tempted like we are, yet He committed no sin. Reading from Heb 2:18,

“18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. (NAS)”

And sinless though He was, He defined love and compassion for us by laying down His life for others. We read of this in 1 Jn 3:16,

“16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (KJV)”

The compassion that Jesus exhibited is what we are to incorporate into our lives. The language of Heb 10:24-25 tells us to stimulate and encourage one another in love,

“24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging {one another} and all the more, as you see the day drawing near. (NAS)”

To this end we can read that just as God comforts us, we are to comfort one another. We become the vehicles that Jesus uses when He is comforting someone else. Our works for Jesus are how His work is done. The passage in 2 Cor 1:4 relates to us the description of the reciprocal compassion that God expects of us,

“4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (NIV)”

Compassion and comfort are persistent. They do not dissipate like a vapor, but are tangible quantities that we are to extend to one another.

We have a Christian responsibility to bear the weaknesses and sorrows of others. The purpose that Jesus has in making some strong is to be available to help those who are not. In the Roman letter in Rom 15:1-2 we see this instruction,

“1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not {just} please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. (NAS)”

Compassion, whether administered by Jesus or by us, must be done in patience. Jesus is exceedingly longsuffering and expects us to be so as well. In 1 Thes 5:14 we read,

“14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. (NIV)”

By conducting ourselves in a compassionate manner, we are fulfilling the commandments of the law, as we see in Gal 6:1-2,

“1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (NIV)”

The Savior sums up the whole idea of compassion in Matt 22:39 where He said,

“39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (KJV)”

Can we now answer the question, “Why does God allow suffering and death to exist in the world if He is a compassionate God?” What is the answer to the question, “How does God administer compassion?” There are many examples of the compassion in Christ from the healing of the sick to the raising of the dead. But the most important instance of the compassion in Christ is His death on the cross, His burial in the sepulcher and His resurrection on the third day.

If two people are compared and the first has a relatively easy and worry-free life, while the other is racked with pain and misery, who do you think will feel the expression of Christ’s compassion the most? The other Lazarus mentioned in the Bible lived a life of misery, but was welcomed in the bosom of Abraham to enjoy the comfort of the Lord for eternity. If Jesus has the power to raise the dead, don’t you think He has the power to comfort every troubled soul?

It is so easy to feel sorry for ourselves as human beings when we are faced with suffering and death. We may even feel as though we have been abandoned. But I submit to you that discomfort, sickness, loneliness, death and misery form a backdrop which the power and compassion of Jesus are silhouetted against. As the prophet Isaiah said, “Surely He has borne our griefs.”