Page 4 - Compassion - August 2018 - Truth & Tidings

of us will ever experience. They are charged touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be
by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit thou clean” (Mark 1:41, KJV). Later, an-
to suffer with all believers, even with you. other man cried out for a sick son, “but if
When they call, open up, make room, and Thou canst do any thing, have compassion
let them love you. on us, and help us (Mark 9:22, KJV). The
Lord Jesus was both willing and able to do
Our Compassionate Witness these things, pouring Himself into fulfill-
One day, God’s servant paused outside ing the physical and emotional needs of
Jerusalem. He scanned the scene from a others, even to those who would never ad-
distance, watching the people hurry about mit their spiritual need, to show them the
in every direction, but always away from great heart of God.
Him. He cried for their souls, healed their We don’t all need to be seasoned evan-
sick relatives, and taught them in love, re- gelists to bring the gospel to our desperate
gardless of their hatred. Another afternoon, world; God will happily use our compas-
He fed 4,000 people, knowing that some sion to reach the lost. Many souls have been
would only remember the free lunch. The saved because someone was willing to in-
Lord Jesus is our example of service to the vest a little in their lives each day. It’s a dirty,
world, suffering with them, and expecting tiring business. But, if you’re willing to suf-
nothing in return. “For even the Son of fer with those in need, just listening, car-
Man came not to be ministered unto, but ing, giving, and suffering with them, you
to minister, and to give His life a ransom may find that their calloused heart cracks
for many” (Mark 10:45, KJV). Let’s do the and opens to the gospel. Let God do the
same thing to this verse that we applied rest.
above, but trade the word “minister” for Are you willing to take up the challenge
“serve” as well. For even the Son of Man of compassion? It’s likely you know some-
came not to be served, but to serve, and to one in need right now. The accolades of the
give His soul a ransom for many (Mark compassionate are few, but the rewards are
10:45). everlasting. They aren’t based on results,
It is remarkable how much the theme but on relationships. Those who choose to
of compassionate, suffering service comes pour out themselves and suffer with others
up in the Gospel of Mark. Write the word share a piece of God’s heart and reflect the
“compassion” on a bookmark and try read- life of Jesus. Believers in anguish won’t ever
ing the whole book with it in mind. In the forget it when you whisper, “I’m here for
first chapter, a man asks Jesus if He would you.” Lost souls sick of sin may just see the
be willing to heal him. “And Jesus, moved Savior they need in your small act of kind-
with compassion, put forth His hand, and ness. God certainly will, too.

Additional copies: A. J. Higgins - ahigginsmd@msn.com OR Paul Glenney - PGlenney@
TruthandTidings.com. Web site: www.TruthandTidings.com.