In the parable of the Good Samaritan Jesus pointed out that being religious is no guarantee of being tender hearted.
The priest and the Levite both passed the injured traveler on the “other” side of the road because they did not want to get involved. But an irreligious man, a Samaritan, gave him attention because he had a tender heart.
Jesus seemed to draw attention to the fact that the Samaritan was just passing by. It’s like he said, “What’s extraordinary about this guy is that he was willing to do good along the way.
For some, being tender, compassionate is not a natural quality. This carnal nature tends to lean to the cold, selfish, prideful side of things.
Some times it seems easier to speak the truth so it DOES hurt. Some times we feel that to REBUKE people openly for their blatant sins and disobedience to God is our religious duty.
We love to be right.
We love to "Contend for the Faith."
We love to win the argument.
We love to "Contend for the Faith."
We love to win the argument.
Take a look at this:
Mark 8:22-26
Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. 23 So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything.
24 And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.”
25 Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly.
24 And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.”
25 Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly.
JUST SEEING was not good enough. He had to see clearly!!
THAT’S OUR PROBLEM!
We don’t see mankind as God sees them!
God loves them. He died for them. Shed His blood for them. He has grace and mercy ready for each of them.
We see men as trees!
We see men as obstacles that get in our way.
We see men who sin and rebel.
Men are simply part of the landscape, and they are about as important as a tree!
Before God touches our hearts today, We need to ask Him to touch our eyes!
God is seeking the lost, the wayward, the prodigal, every night and day in order to bring him back into the relationship with the Father.
Because they matter to God!
We need to have compassion for people and their circumstances.
Most hard-hearted people live life on the fast track. They have places to go, people to see, things to get done, and they have adrenaline laced blood constantly pumping through their veins.
Hard-hearted people tend to view people as obstacles hindering their way of progress.
"Well, when they get out of the way I’ll get that position."
"When they move, I’ll get promoted."
"When they leave, I get to go up!"
Hard-hearted people view people as tools to be used or trouble to get rid of.
winners and losers.
Matthew 14:14
And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
Because God has invited everybody into his family, every person we meet is a potential brother or sister. Only when we see this, will WE start treating people with compassion and with respect.
To learn tenderness and compassion (Christ-like) we not only have to see people as God does, but we must empathize.
Walk a mile in the other person’s shoes.
Hard-hearted people look at people who are down on their luck, broken, bankrupt or upset and say, “Wow that’s to bad, but I guess in some ways you had it coming.”
Empathy comes when we SLOW DOWN and make a concerted effort to walk in their shoes. How would it feel to be in their situation?
How does it feel to be in a wheelchair always looking for a space to sit?
How does it feel to be unemployed?
How does it feel to be a single parent?
How does if feel to always be the butt of jokes?
How does if feel to be called names?
How does if feel to be divorced?
How does if feel to be an orphan?
How does if feel to be homeless?
How does if feel to be diagnosed with a terminal disease?
The ultimate goal is to become so sensitive, so tenderhearted, so compassionate that eventually we behave just like Jesus would.
Take my little Parking Lot Test: Sit out in your car before service starts. Don’t talk to anyone, just look around as people start coming in. Ask yourself this: Is there anything I wouldn’t do to help any one of those people? Do I sincerely Love each of them?
1 John 3:17 (Amplified Bible)
17But if anyone has this world's goods (resources for sustaining life) and sees his brother and fellow believer in need, yet closes his heart of compassion against him, how can the love of God live and remain in him?Jude 1:22
And of some have compassion, making a difference:
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