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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
Dr. Matthew Lee Smith interviews Eric Michael Bryant who serves as an elder, speaker, and navigator overseeing the leadership team at Mosaic in Los Angeles. This interview explores what makes this church, which is 70-75% are single, average age is 28 years of age, made up of hundreds of people in seven locations, six in the greater Los Angeles area. Discover the transferable concepts that Mosaic uses to reach this younger generation. Listen to this interview for your opportunity to win a free gift courtesy of Eric!
Starting as a volunteer in the parking lot at Mosaic, Eric later worked with students and then helped catalyze new venues across Los Angeles. He also teaches at the Southern California campus of Golden Gate Seminary and is working on his Doctorate of Ministry with Bethel Seminary. A sought-after speaker, Eric is one of the co-authors of The Uprising Experience, a workbook developed for Promise Keepers based on Erwin McManus’ book Uprising: A Revolution of the Soul, and has written several articles for Group and Relevant Leader magazines. His book, Peppermint-Filled Piñatas: Breaking Through Tolerance and Embracing Love, was published with Zondervan in June 2007. Eric lives with his wife, Debbie, and two children, Caleb and Trevi in the middle of Los Angeles County.
We are here to tell you today that your Father in Heaven is with you (remember that Jesus’ name Emmanuel means ‘God with Us’)! He wants to make so much more out of our lives than any of us are currently enjoying!
