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Compassion is … the force that makes a bridge from the island of one individuality to the island of the other. ~ John O’Donohue
‘Life’s interruptions are God’s appointments.’ I remember the first time I heard this and wondered about it. Today’s passage reveals the truth of this old adage. Look at how Jesus responds to interruptions in this lesson from God’s Word …
While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.” So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples. And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour. When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, He said to them, “Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him. But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. And the report of this went out into all that land. Matthew 9:18-26 (NKJV)
We become like Jesus when …
o We take the time to meet the needs of those who ask for our time and help.
Whether the person is of means (the ruler) or is just another face in the crowd (the woman), Jesus shows us that compassion comes when called. As a leader, meeting needs is part and parcel of the territory. Taking from our resources and meeting the urgencies of others often happens when we would rather be ‘off the clock.’
Some find people to be annoyances – since they have some ‘real work’ to get done. But for the Eagle leader, the person is always more important than the project or the paper we are working on.
Jesus shows us that every person – no matter their standing in our eyes – is important enough to stop what we are doing and minister to them. Looking at people with compassion means we let ourselves be ‘put out’ so that love can be ‘poured in!’
© 2009 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith
