Corona Devo 1490

A little while back I got sick and it took me down.  For a few days, I felt like I was barely existing.  The only thing that made me feel better was sleep...and the daily phone call that my mother-in-law made to check in on me. 

Each day until I was better, once-a-day her call would come and her voice would wash over me with authentic compassion for my recovery.  Every day when I hung up from her daily check-in call, I almost came to tears at the beauty of someone loving me with that much compassion.

Compassion is a special thing.  It can't be faked, given superficially, or demanded.  Like love, compassion can only be given willingly.  And when it is, it's powerful.

~~~

I know some other women that shared their compassion at a time when someone needed it.  You know them too: Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, the mother of Zebedee’s sons and many others.

Jesus had been betrayed by one of His disciples.  

Jesus had been abandoned by the other eleven disciples.

Jesus had been falsely accused, whipped until almost-death, and then crucified.

It took Him down.  As he hung on the cross, he was barely existing.

And then, He ceased to exist by mortal standards.  

Jesus died an inhumane, shameful, excruciating death that He didn't deserve.

But there were women present who had authentic compassion on Him and for Him.

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit... (55) Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. (56) Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.  ~Matthew 27:50, 55-56  

These women followed Jesus and cared for his needs.  That's compassion.  That is an outpouring of love for another.

The compassion that these women had for Jesus led them to His tomb.  They followed Him (again) and then went home to prepare spices and perfumes for His burial.  They had compassion for Jesus even after His death.  

The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. (56) Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.  ~Luke 23:55-56

And although their hearts and motives were pure and righteous and compassionate...the spices would not be necessary, because, well...you know the (miraculous!) rest of the story: 

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.  ~Matthew 28:6

But the compassion that these women had for Jesus when He was alive and dead, should not be missed. 

And where would they have learned of this compassion?  ...From God the Father and Christ Himself.  

• As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him...  ~Psalm 103:13  

• Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!  ~Isaiah 30:18  

• Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.  ~Isaiah 54:10

God's compassion for us is authentic.  He reveals it to us in a myriad of daily ways, but sending His Son to the cross to bear our sins so that we might have communion and connection and eternity with Him is the clearest example I know.  I almost come to tears in realizing the beauty of our Heavenly Father loving us with that much compassion.

Compassion is a special thing, and God is the definition of it.  It can't be faked, given superficially, or demanded, and yet the God of the universe is compassionate with us.  He gives it willingly and His compassion is powerful.

And so what, then should our response be?  

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  ~Colossians 3:12

The women at the cross were not the only ones with compassion for Jesus, and He was not the only one that they showed compassion to.  

We are God’s chosen people, and we can be compassionate today.  

Who is sick?  Who is hurting?  Who is lonely, lost, or far-away?

Who can we "wash over" with authentic compassion for their recovery?  

Who might be brought to tears at the beauty of someone loving them with that much compassion?  Then let's love them with compassion today.

Compassion is a special thing.  It can't be faked, given superficially, or demanded.  Like love, compassion can only be given willingly.  And when it is, it's powerful.

God and Jesus emulated compassion, and the women at the cross were an excellent example of following Christ's lead.  We are excellent examples too.  

Pick up the phone, write the note, send the text, give the hug, flash the smile, hold the hand,,,and show authentic compassion today.    

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, (4) who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.  ~2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com