COMPASSION

The qualities of Jesus. Which one would you prefer?

If you had any one of them, which one of them would spur

You on to being like Him, and doing what He did,

To everyone He came across and did as He was bid?

For me it’s His compassion that stands out like a mile.

It’s something you cannot “turn on” and use for just a while.

It happens deep inside you each time that you behold,

Any situation where compassion will unfold.

A typical example was His disciple John.

We’re told he was His favourite and that may not be wrong.

There was a special trio of Peter, John and James

The Master took them with Him, is what the Bible claims.

They were official witnesses to all that He did do.

So that the truth of everything was clear for all to view.

But when it came to choices, the person He called on,

It seems in every instance, the one He chose was John.

Of course he was the youngest and the custom of the day,

Was reclining in a circle in a very special way.

It never was haphazard. The oldest on His right,

And then in their birth order with everyone in sight

The youngest one was honoured and sat on His left side.

Where He could lean upon the Lord and listen to his Guide.

He’d listen to His heartbeat; He’d feel His joy or pain.

And when something was needed, it’s John who would explain

The nuances in Jesus’ voice to those who couldn’t hear.

For Jesus would repeat Himself and whisper in John’s ear.

So John saw His compassion in ways that other folk

Could never understand Him. He was that sort of bloke.

And Jesus was unrivalled in getting to the core

Of all He was requested, because of what He saw.

He comforted the mothers whose children had just died.

He laughed with other’s laughter and cried with those who cried.

He blessed the little children the twelve had sent away.

He laid His hands upon them. He blessed them all that day.

He fed a hungry people with food that multiplied.

The crowd was astronomical but all were satisfied.

He loved the twelve disciples although they often failed.

He didn’t leave them orphans when to a cross was nailed.

He told them he was coming back; They didn’t understand.

And after He ascended, His Spirit came as planned.

This was His great compassion. This was his love made clear.

This was the way He did things for people far and near.

This was His love in action, compassion put on view;

To everyone around Him; to folk like me and you.

Jim Strickland – written Monday, 04 July 2011