Article January 11, 1988 Issue

Compassion

Many of us yearn to be of help to others in times of trouble. There's a practical, spiritual way to show our care.

Lynn A. Gray Jackson

In this world of hustle and bustle, the treasured quality of compassion has become all too rare. We may have a special friend who expresses so much compassion and love toward us that the moments with this friend are very precious. Such compassion warms the heart, and we may often find ourselves thinking back upon those moments, wishing that we too could express this kind of warmth, care, and compassion.

Don't you think Christ Jesus must have been such a friend to his disciples? Indeed the Bible records that when Jesus appeared to two of his disciples as they walked to Emmaus after the resurrection, they were deeply touched by his words. Having been downcast over the crucifixion, the two disciples had not at first recognized Jesus. Yet when they finally realized who he was and he departed, they said, "Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?"^{Luke 24:32.} Even when these two disciples hadn't recognized him, they had still felt his great love and compassion.

Pure love is a spiritual quality that man expresses as God's reflection. Our compassion derives from this love. It embraces the spiritual strength and spiritual authority that take form so naturally in healing. Christ Jesus' compassion was not just words or fine sentiments. It was expressed in deeds. He healed the sick, raised the dead, gave sight to the blind, fed the hungry. And he taught his followers to heal.

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