When Compassion Leads

A few weeks before visiting an Aeta village in the Philippines, I was teaching children about Jesus feeding the 5,000. In this account, Jesus and his disciples were tired. They were ready for rest. But as they moved toward a secluded place, they were spotted. The word of their presence spread quickly and a crowd gathered. By the time they reached the place of anticipated quiet and refreshment, a large crowd was already waiting. When Jesus saw the mass of people, His heart was moved with compassion. He quickly put aside His personal needs for the greater needs of the crowd. Instead of seeing them as an inconvenience or a problem, Jesus saw their distress and began teaching them.

As Jesus was teaching, the disciples began to make plans. They saw it was late, and common sense told them, all these people need to eat – we need to send them back to the villages so they can take care of their needs. When the disciples shared their concerns with Jesus, He simply responded, “You give them something to eat.” The disciples did not understand. When they looked at the situation, everything told them this was impossible. But Jesus was led by compassion, not by circumstances or convenience. And despite the fact the disciples lacked Jesus’ compassion, He used them to provide a physical meal to the crowd of people.

As I was standing on the Philippine mountainside, watching a team of Filipino pastors minister to a crowd of people, God reminded me of this account of His compassion. Now I was privileged to watch this same compassion lived out before me. The Aeta people are the outcast of society – the unloved, uneducated, and even believed by some to have no souls. This village of Lomibao is situated a 45-minute hike and across a lake from the nearest road. But in this remote place, God is working. And the day we visited, the gospel was shared, hands were laid on a pastor, and a site for a church was dedicated. And thanks to the generosity of my church, The Point, each family in the village was provided with a meal and a week’s supply of rice. Following Jesus example, we understand that compassion not only drives us to share the good news but it is a call to action. A call to meet the physical needs of people so they will experience the care and love of our God.

Something stirred in my heart that day in the village of Lomibao. Unfortunately, too often I am like Jesus’ disciples were the day Jesus fed the 5,000. I am focused on my needs or driven by my schedule. But Jesus was moved by a heart of compassion. He put others first. He believed God for the impossible. He had time for divine interruptions. And when we allow His compassion to lead us, we begin to move from our small world into the divine flow of God’s work. And then His compassion begins to not only transform us but also the people He surrounds us with.

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“So those of who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Colossians 3:12 NASB

“When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things… And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food and broke the loaves and He kept giving them to the disciples to set before them; and He dived up the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied.”
Mark 6:34, 41-42 NASB