Compassion to the Limit

By: Dr. Eunice Zaragoza Leal

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners…” (Isaiah 61: 1).

In Isaiah 61:1-4, we see the prophecy about Jesus as Messiah and his mission to deliver humankind from affliction. When we think of some of the attributes that distinguish Jesus, we can’t help but think of COMPASSION.

In the ministry of Jesus we can see a higher level of compassion. Jesus wasn’t just satisfied with a small act of kindness. He always went above and beyond, getting involved with those in need, getting out of his comfort zone and even getting into trouble (complicated situations) to help others.

During his ministry, Jesus did not focus on just one area of human life. He always sought to transform people’s lives in an integral way to give complete healing and total freedom. He prioritized people’s health, restoring healing to their bodies (Mt. 14:14). He recognized the need for food, so he fed the hungry (Mt. 15:32); but he also focused on the spiritual life of the people, bringing them spiritual food that healed their souls (Mt. 9:36 and Mc. 6:34).

His example challenges us: Are we living compassion at the highest level? Are we loving our neighbor in such a way that we are willing to leave our comfort zone? Are we even willing to face problems so that others can experience Christ’s fullness in an integral way?

One of the definitions of compassion is “suffering together.” When we look around us, we find many ways in which people suffer, whether due to physical, material, spiritual or emotional needs. And when we perceive and understand that others suffer, it leads us to desire to alleviate, reduce or eliminate that suffering.

When analyzing the current problems of the world – violence provoked by political or racial conflict, the lack of care for the environment, economic hardships – we can only conclude that humanity needs Christ and the freedom He gives. In many of these situations, the key for the hurting to open their ears and heart to Jesus Christ will be compassion. This does not mean that we must approve or agree with all of society’s positions. But it does mean that we are to look at others with love, speak to them with words seasoned with grace, and touch their lives just as Jesus would.

I want to challenge you: ask God to give you his eyes and heart so that you can see others with his eyes of love and can feel that pain that He feels when he knows and understands their need. May it move you to act in favor of the needy and find a way to reduce, alleviate or eliminate their suffering. Ask God to make compassion your daily lifestyle. Remember, God’s compassion is infinite, great, constant, eternal, manifest and incomprehensible. We are the extension of God’s love in the world. So, let’s live compassion to the limit!

*Dr. Eunice Zaragoza Leal has served as a missionary in Honduras, and is currently planting churches and coordinating Nazarene Compassionate Ministries in her district in Mexico.