January 3, 2010

Christ's Compassion and Comfort!

God is full of compassion - Psalm 116:5

Yesterday morning one of my close friends and a prayer partner called to tell me that his mother-in-law in India went to be with our Lord. When it is a very difficult news for me and my wife, I can't imagine how his wife and he felt and could bear this heaviness that too at the start of a New Year. During the death of a mother, living in another country (US) and unable to visit home for the funeral is a very very difficult situation to bear. Our hearts filled with sorrow for the family when we hear such news.

Compassion is more than mere feeling of sympathy. It is a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrowfulness towards one who is suffering from a bad news (like loss of someone dear). This feeling is not stand-alone but accompanied by a strong desire to mitigate the suffering of this person. In simple terms, feeling sorry for the situation and moving toward in action to support the suffering individual/s and help to mitigate his problems. That is how Jesus was when he moved out in compassion.

Once Queen Victoria heard that the wife of an employee lost her baby. Having experienced deep sorrow in herself, she felt moved to express her sympathy to the mother. So she called on the bereaved woman one day and spent some time with her. After she left, the surprised neighbors asked what the queen had said. "Nothing, she simply put her hands on mine, and we silently wept together." replied the grieving mother. When Queen can give her physical presence to show her compassion, our heavenly King's Spiritual presence is with you to show His compassion, and give you His Peace, Strength, and Comfort.

Our God is full of compassion that is always reflected in Jesus Christ. Any time Jesus felt compassion on people he demonstrated his desire to help in action. We read repeatedly in the gospels that anytime he had compassion on people, he healed the lepers, blind, deaf, and also fed people, etc., (Matthew 20:34, Mark 1:41, Matthew 15:32). The same Jesus Christ will show his compassion to you and comfort you. You may be in pains because of the loss of a dear one or loss of job or loss of a relationship. Remember Jesus moved with compassion and wept with those who wept and in action raised the dead Lazarus (John 11:35). Jesus is weeping with you as well. Do not worry or fear HE is with you to show you compassion and show you a way out of this situation that haunts you. Remember you serve a God who is FULL of compassion (Psalm 116:15). He will move in action to restore your life situation for the best. We also read in Isaiah 49:15 where God challenges us of HIS compassion by asking us "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, He will not forget you! He will comfort you more than a mother of this world. He will add blessing to the loss you are suffering. He will compensate for the loss by giving you dual portion of blessings and peace. His unfailing love, peace, and compassion will never be removed from you (Isaiah 54:10). Take courage, be strong, our Lord will do wonders to you and through you!!

Prayer: Father, thank you for your compassion on me. Your compassion means blessings in store for me. Help me to show Christ's compassion to those around me as well.

May you have a peaceful day!