Various Dimensions of Compassion in the Scripture

Full Reports on the Bible & Theology Course - 2004

Various Dimensions or Options of Compassion in the Scripture

Note: (Biblical quotations below) In Mt 11:4f, "f" stands for "following".

1. The "Empathic" Option

1. Mt 3:13-4, 3:11 : The baptism and temptations of Jesus: Jesus chooses the path of solidarity with mankind: "To be compassionate means first of all to confess our part in the suffering human condition, and to recognize that the anchor points of our identity are in the common experience of broken existence." (Henri Nouwen)
2. Mt 11:4f : The proof of Jesus' mission: Deeds of compassion: "The blind recover their sight, crippled walk, lepers are cured, ..." (see also Lk 4:18f)
3. Mt 11:28-29 : For all the radical demands upon those who choose to follow him, Jesus' basic call is an invitation of love: "Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you..."
4. Mt 12:9f : Man's needs are above the prescriptions of the law, and we best serve God by showing compassion towards our brothers and sisters.
5. Mk 1:32f : The common factor in Jesus' day: "He was moved with compassion."
6. Mt 25:31f : Jesus is not only like the hungry and the naked; he is these people. In showing compassion to those in need, we are serving Jesus, even though we may be quite unaware of it. (see also Lk 10:25f: "Go and do likewise.")

2. The "Encounter" Option:

1. Mk 1:35 : Jesus' intimacy with the father in prayer was a constant in an otherwise restless ministry; it was the source of his teaching (Jn 15:15) as well as of his work (Jn 5:17); it guided his decisions (Lk 6:12 and Jn 17:9); and it led him to spontaneous gratitude (Mt 11:25 and Jn 12:28).
2. Jn 11:1f : Jesus' familiar intimacy with the family of Bethany: "Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus very much."
3. Jn 13:23, 15:15, 21:20f : Jesus loved his own disciples; they were all his friends; but among them, he had a special love for one.

3. The "Uninvolved" Option:

1. Mt 23:1f : Jesus' view of the scribes and Pharisees: "Their words are bold but their deeds are few."
2. Lk 18:9f : The "mountain-top" ministry of the Pharisee. "I give you thanks, O God, that I am not like the rest of men - gasping, crooked, adulterous, or even like this tax collector."
3. Mt 14:24f : The man who chooses to remain aloof, for fear of the risk of involvement.
4. Jn 11:49f : Caiaphas, the high priest, chooses the "surgical" solution for the spreading bane of Jesus' popular following.
5. Mt 27:24 : Pilate "washes his hands" of any guilt with regard to Jesus' fate: "I am innocent of the blood of this just man. The responsibility of yours."

4. The "Controlling" Option

1. Lk 11:46: Jesus condemns the Jewish leaders: "You lay impossible burdens on men but will not lift a finger to lighten them." Paul in Romans and Galatians chronicles the extent to which he himself was controlled by the Jewish law and its interpreters.
2. Mt 18:21f : The merciless official: keeping leverage over others who owe us, even when our own debts have been wiped clean.
3. Jn 11: 47-48 : The real reason why the Jewish leaders felt threatened by Jesus: they were losing their control over the people.

5. The "Overinvolved" Option

1. Mt 19:16f : The rich young man: lost in his possessions, he went away from Jesus.
2. Jn 12:1f & Mt 26:6f Judas: Lost in the arguments and schemes of others, he went away from Jesus.
3. Lk 24:13f The two disciples on the road to Emmaus: Lost in disappointed ambitions, they went away from Jesus.

Compassion Index
Compassionate Love in Family   Compassion in Scripture   Compassion & Spiritual Life

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