Christ's Work of Compassion

Compassion leads to action, but is not action.  It is identification and suffering with the afflicted.  The old saw “misery loves company” usually means we like to bring others down with us.  But we might turn it around a bit.  We might see the example of our Lord and recognize that compassion loves by joining misery.  "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin" (Heb. 4:15).

Compassion moves the compassionate to action eventually.  That action is often material aid, practical assistance, or comfort to relieve the afflicted, or the proclamation of law and then forgiveness and hope in Christ.  But even before the action there is the sympathy and identification.  Sometimes, maybe most times, those who are hurting need to hear and know that their hurt is valid and is also unjust.  Strangely, it is comforting to know that our mental anguish, our sense of frustration, and our anger are legitimate reactions to a sinful and unjust world.

What we are called to, and what our Lord displayed and engaged in, was not bleeding heart liberalism that knows what is best for the world, but true compassion.  He looked upon the crowd, harassed and helpless, and had compassion.  He feels their pain.  They are criminals.  They are liars.  They will kill Him.  But He recognizes that they are like sheep without a shepherd, and that isn’t right.… This leads to action.  He doesn’t simply cry in His beer.  They are like sheep without a shepherd, so, for them, He willingly becomes a Son forsaken by His Father.

Excerpted from David Petersen, "Praying for Pity's Sake," Gottesdienst, Vol 20:1

Compassion of Christ

Do you wish then to know in what manner the Word of God, who was again the Son of God, as He was of old the Word, communicated His revelations to the blessed prophets in former times? Well, as the Word shows His compassion and His denial of all respect of persons by all the saints, He enlightens them and adapts them to that which is advantageous for us, like a skillful physician, understanding the weakness of men. And the ignorant He loves to teach, and the erring He turns again to His own true way. And by those who live by faith, He is easily found; and to those of pure eye and holy heart, who desire to knock at the door, He opens immediately. For He casts away none of His servants as unworthy of the divine mysteries. He does not esteem the rich man more highly then the poor, nor does He despise the poor man for his poverty. He does not disdain the barbarian, nor does He set the eunuch aside as no man. He does not hate the female on account of the woman's act of disobedience in the beginning, nor does He reject the male on account of the man's transgression. But He seeks all, and desires to save all, wishing to make all the children of God, and calling all the saints unto one perfect man. For there is also one Son (or Servant) of God, by whom we too, receiving the regeneration through the Holy Spirit, desire to come all unto one perfect and heavenly man.

Hippolytus, Treatise on Christ and Antichrist