DO YOU KNOW ANYONE IN NEED OF COMPASSION?
As he traveled along the road, he had to stop, but it was a bad place as thieves attacked him, robbed and beat him and left him half dead. He was definitely in need of help but who would help? There didn’t appear to be anyone traveling on the road.
After nearly an hour, he spotted another traveler coming. Would this traveler stop and help him? Would the traveler see him on the side of the road? The wounded man spotted the traveler and his hopes rose. He was a priest and would surely help him. But would you believe it? When the priest saw the poor man, he sped up and passed by quickly. Laying his head back down, he started another long wait! But soon he heard another traveler coming.
Raising his head and fixing his focus on the new traveler, he recognized the man as a leader of a religious group. Great, he would help! But… but, he looked the other way and passed on by!
Did these two travelers not feel any compassion for the beaten and robbed man? Would Jesus have failed to have compassion on the man? Perhaps you recognize the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:30). It was only the despised, outcast Samaritan who felt compassion and took action to care for the unfortunate man.
We live in a world of hurting people who need compassion. Some are on their death beds. Some have inadequate food and clothing. Others endure debilitating pain or physical deformities. Some are elderly and face limitations. There are few people we meet on life’s road that do not need compassion.
An Amish saying is, “Instead of putting some one in their place, put yourself in their place.” Nearly everyone you meet is fighting a battle or having a struggle of some kind. Let’s put ourselves in their place and maybe it will help us to show love and compassion. It is reported that Abram Lincoln said, “I feel sorry for the man who cannot feel the pain of the whip when it is laid on another man’s back.” It is a selfish uncaring attitude that does not feel compassion for the unfortunate. We are commanded to love others as we love ourselves – Mark 12:31.