The Compassion that Compels Us

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him (Acts 3:1-10).

As we walk alongside of the disciples Peter and John on the way to afternoon prayer at the temple, we encounter a poor, lame beggar at the Beautiful Gate. Our plans are disrupted as our hearts are incited to do something for this needy person. We are confronted by his immediate need for financial support. This is the kind of support that has sustained him this far in life, but it will not improve his situation. Something in Peter’s heart stirs him to confront the man, to get him to lift his eyes so he can connect with his soul. There is something in Peter’s heart that compels him to offer something more than money, which he and John don’t have anyway. Something pushes Peter to offer healing, a gift that will dramatically change the poor man’s life. But the only healing Peter knows has been done by Jesus Christ, so his heart provokes Peter to intercede on behalf of this needy man and to offer him healing in the name of Jesus Christ. We are inspired by the revelation here of the compassion that compels us.

Compassion directs our steps. Evidence that we are truly born again is an increasing sensitivity to the needs of others. As we walk with Jesus we are reminded of how often compassion for the needy directed His steps and changed His agenda… “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). He taught about the power of compassion to move disciples to show His love and healing power to those in need… “But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him” (Luke 10:33-34). As our faith matures, Christ captures more and more of our heart and His compassion moves us to offer Him to others.

Compassion turns needs into opportunities.  Evidence that our faith in Christ is maturing is a renewing of our minds. As we abide in His Word, Christ helps us see the world as He does. He sees the needs of people as opportunities for His Father’s love and power to break into this fallen world and to get us looking to Him… “As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him’” (John 9:1-3). As we grow in the faith we anticipate the manifestation of God’s power as compassion moves us to help others.

Compassion compels us to give what Christ would give. Evidence that we are walking closely with Christ is often the appearance of someone that needs more than we can give. When we give what we have, we get the credit. When give what Christ would give, He gets the glory… “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:12-13). As our walk with Christ matures He brings greater needs across our path because He knows our compassion moves us to offer Him to those in need.

As we grow up into Christ, we can touch and change the lives of the needy as we are moved by…

The Compassion that Compels Us.