Become compassionate
Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Matthew 8:3
Compassion. Something I have always struggled with. I tend to be preoccupied with me, my stuff, my things, and my issues. It is like wearing blinders because as I go through my daily life, sometimes I don’t even notice the struggles others are going through around me. I have repented for my lack of compassion and have changed my heart to intentionally be more aware of others that are hurting around me.
Recently, I came across an individual holding a sign that said, “homeless and hungry”. I asked the LORD (in my heart) if this is someone deserving a few dollars? (I have a tendency to be skeptical and sometimes see these occasions as a scam or even self-inflicted problems that many bring on themselves and therefore judge that person unworthy of my attention and resources). I felt like God’s Spirit inside my heart was telling me to give so in obedience I did. Generally, I plan ahead so that I can give with a scripture or word to encourage, but this time the giving was for me. I could say nothing because the instant that he took the money from me, compassion hit my heart. I was overwhelmed with the pain and suffering of this hurting individual. No matter if his current predicament was self-inflicted or if there was a wrong motive in his heart, he was lost, in a trap, deceived and didn’t even know it. Like all of us once were, he was lost and alone, far from God. It didn’t matter what the intention of his heart was at that moment, he was still loved by God. So loved that God sent His very own precious Son to die for this person and pay the penalty for all his sin.
Today’s scripture is about Jesus and the compassion He had for a leper. His compassion produced healing in this man because healing was his immediate need and what he asked for. However, like those we often come across today, this man not only needed healed but he also needed a Savior. By giving to those in need, we may be helping with an immediate need, but if we give purposefully and with the message of love and salvation, we can also be pointing them toward the salvation they so desperately need.
Today I want to encourage you to intentionally become more compassionate. Ask the LORD to make you aware of the hurting and lost people around you. Purpose ahead of time a gift amount and words of encouragement. Lastly, ask the LORD to lead you to those who are ready to receive His love and be ready to be obedient when He shows you who to reach out to. You can be the one who changes someone’s life for all eternity.
Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 8:1-4
1 When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him.
2 And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
3 Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
The Daily Dose 