Compassionate Encounters

Key verse

Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”

Mark 1:41 NKJV

When I was working my way through college, I worked at several nursing homes as a CNA. I remember one patient in particular who was non-verbal, unable to walk, and dealt with a lot of pain from the terminal illness she had.

Often, her whole stiff body would cringe in pain. Her back and legs would rise as she uttered one of the saddest noises I ever heard. One day, I walked into her room to check on her, and she was lying on her back in her bed. She couldn’t communicate with the busy nurse that it was time for her pain meds, but I could. I asked the nurse if she could give her the prescribed medication for pain. Unsurprisingly, the grumpy nurse bitterly told me she would get to her, eventually.

I went back in the room as my sweet, non-verbal patient curled and winced in pain again. My heart swelled with compassion for her. I bent down to her bed, whispering in her ear, “Oh, Jesus! Have compassion!” Immediately she let out a huge exhale of relief and laid back down as peacefully as I had ever seen her. The painful episode was over when Jesus entered the picture.

In His earthly ministry, Jesus was often moved with compassion. His heart is the most complete definition of compassion. He doesn’t want us marching around, acting as if He called us to put on a performance of signs and wonders to “wow” the crowd. No. He just wants to be in such close fellowship with us that it rivets us with His heart of compassion for others. When the nurse was too busy, Jesus was ready, and I was just the go-between. There is a hurting world without hope; Jesus is ready, and you are the go-between.

Prayer

Father, give me Your eyes for people. Show me what I have not seen due to my selfish or busy lifestyle. Teach me a lifestyle of compassion. I want to know You so deeply that my heart connects with Your compassionate heart.