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A Disciple of Jesus Is Compassionate
Brian Mashburn
May 28, 2006
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Penetrating Compassion
I remember hearing about a bumper sticker that said something to the effect of "Do Something Radical - Practice your Religion." My honest reaction was this: Ouch.
I say that my entire religious life is to imitate Jesus.
Jesus (quoting Isaiah 61) said he came to...
Give the poor good news.
Heal the brokenhearted.
Give freedom to those that are captive.
Give sight to the blind.
Give comfort to those that mourn.
Provide for those that grieve.
Empower people to minister.
If I am going to practice my religion, I'm going to have to...
Get in relationship with poor people and give them good news.
Get in relationship with the brokenhearted, and be an agent of healing for that.
Get in relationship with the captives, and give them freedom.
Get in relationship with the blind and give them sight.
Get in relationship with the grieving and provide for them.
Get in relationship with you and empower you to do all of the above.
I heard a guy who was trying to actually do all of the above in a really practical, world changing, benevolent, and personal way talk about how he had to walk away from Christians to go and find these people. He was even warned by his church to not get too close, because they are dirty, diseased, dangerous, mentally unhealthy, lazy mooches and that he was getting in over his head.
But he went anyway, and what he found was people. Compassion flared up and became his new way of life. The way of the disciple of Jesus.