Date: May 10, 2009 10:01 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Compassion
Compassion
Scripture Focus: Mark 1:40-45
“Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble” (1 Peter 3:8).
Leprosy! The word pierced with arrows of fear. It built walls of isolation and death. In Bible times, lepers were considered ceremonially unclean and were socially ostracized. God gave detailed instructions in the Law for detecting the disease and excluding the diseased one.
Though lepers were isolated from the rest of the population, one boldly approached Jesus. Instead of shrinking from the man and refusing to have anything to do with him, Jesus touched him.
This one act of compassion spoke volumes to the diseased man. But Jesus even went beyond touching to honoring the man’s request for healing.
We may never have contact with people who are isolated from society, but there are people nearby who can use compassion. Sometimes just a hug or a phone call or an email is what is needed. Other situations may require more extensive help or finding someone else who can meet that need.
In order to build bridges, we must be aware of needs and do what we can to meet them.
Insight: To whom can you demonstrate Jesus’ compassion today? How will you do it?
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