I was reading in Luke 7 this morning and came across the account when there was a large crowd following Jesus. Jesus had just recently miraculously healed the centurion’s servant. I’m sure they were in awe of what had just happened. They must have still been talking about it with excited tones and joyful hearts. (I know I would be!)
As they were walking through the streets they encountered another large crowd. This one had a completely different tone. As one crowd was excited and joyful, this crowd was quiet and mourning. When Jesus saw the widow who had just lost her only son, he had compassion for her. Luke says his first words to her were “Don’t cry.” From there he went to the coffin, placed his holy hand upon it and commanded to dead to rise. Jesus had compassion for the woman.
Verse 21 goes on to say that Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. I was struck this morning with the way that Jesus showed he was the Son of God. There were times like when Jesus turned water into wine that he did something that didn’t involve a physical healing of someone, but more times than not, when Jesus performed a miracle it was to invest in and restore people. Jesus could have easily levitated rocks, made the bath house disappear or any other various “parlor tricks” to show his authority. Instead of doing those types of miracles He chose to heal people because he loves them and has compassion for them.
What about us? We’re not Jesus. We don’t claim to be. But… as sons and daughter of Christ, as His disciples we have been given all authority over evil (Luke 10:19). We have the ability to come alongside others, show compassion on them with godly love.
It may be our elderly neighbor who is struggling to mow their lawn.
It may be the single mother who is struggling to put groceries in the cupboard.
It may be the young student who feels like they’re all alone.
Who can you show heavenly compassion to? You might not restore vision to the blind or cure your neighbor from leprosy, but you can surely show love to those around you with the same compassion that Jesus had as he showed His love for the widow.
