"Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him." (Luke 10:33 NLT)
Despised people can develop a special capacity for compassion. We must understand, though, that compassion is not the default for the despised. Disengagement is. The more relational pain we experience, the more likely we are to disconnect. Compassion is a choice. We were discussing rejection when my dear friend Susan said it best: “Compassion is not a natural response, but a supernatural response.”
Years ago, we took a Strengthsfinders test and one of my top five talents is empathy. I remember a discussion with my district superintendent shortly after, he’s a fellow empath. We despaired; the trouble with empathy is that you can’t turn it off. In hindsight, it’s not quite true. A substantial amount of relational pain will eventually erode empathy, unless we actively guard against it.
How does one tend to their empathy? Much like a garden, we cultivate the tender parts of our heart: pulling the weeds and overturning the soil. We work the ground to ensure a soft landing for the souls we encounter.
Empathy won’t make sense in this world anymore than a despised Samaritan tending to the frame of a dying stranger. But the beauty of a soft soul seeing and meeting the gaze of another fragile human – that’s exquisite and it gets the world’s attention
Compassion remains costly. Inflation is a continuing factor. The longer we live, the more expensive our empathy becomes. We decide daily whether to extend it or not.
I think about Jesus; the Good Samaritan Himself. Jesus, despised by many, went out of His way with compassion. He tended to the broken man’s wounds, paid his bill in full, and promised to return to take care of any further charges.
If anyone in the history of humanity had ample excuse to dismiss their empathy, it was our Savior. Yet, despite rejection and disdain, Jesus still operated with the utmost compassion. We see it over and over again in the gospels.
Jesus’ life experience didn’t exasperate His compassion, but expanded it. The further He went with humanity, the more consideration He expressed. Somehow, despite thousands of years of interactions with fallen people, Jesus maintains compassion for our limitation. Like His Father before Him, Jesus remembers we are mud and treats us with unwarranted consideration.
"When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion." (Luke 7:13 NLT)
"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (Matthew 9:36 NLT)
"Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick." (Matthew 14:14 NLT)
I’m convinced. My increasing catalog of incidents with others has been sending me in the wrong direction. My empathy is lacking. Today I can see where the garden of my soul needs tending. The weeds need to be pulled, the soil overturned. I must work with the Spirit to keep my empathy intact. It may very well be my most Christ-like attribute.
"Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude." (1 Peter 3:8 NLT)
Lord, please forgive us for allowing our empathy to run dry. Human interaction hurts and rejection requires a response. Help us choose to increase our compassion, rather than dry it up completely. We look to You as our example; a Savior still full of empathy despite receiving the worst humanity has to offer. Help us tend to our hearts, grow us up in Your image. May we love others as You do. Amen.