c o m pa s s i o n / k ə m ˈ pa shə n /

(verb) a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another ... accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering; grace and mercy; tenderness.

Read: Luke 15

It’s ten days to Christmas, in a word and a prayer.

Compassion - it means, a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another ... accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering; grace and mercy; tenderness.

In Luke chapter fifteen, Jesus tells a parable about a son who had been given an inheritance. A son who ran away and wasted his inheritance. A son who was lost. A son who decided to come home.

“And he ... came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. (Luke 15:20, ESV) The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.’” (Luke 15:21-24, NIV)

~ PRAY ~

Father God,

Just like the prodigal, we get the very thing we think we want most...and run. We run away and we run in circles, until we can’t anymore. Until we’ve squandered our share, and we’re left helpless ~ desperate for You, again.

Forgive us. And still, the crazy thing is, not only do You run after us, spinning round with us, but You out-run us every single time. What we really long for, in all our frantic running and revolving, is to know You won’t leave us. You are with us. You are for us. And so, when we finally head Home, You don’t try to first fix us or shame us. You simply face us.

You, coming for us with kisses of compassion.

You, embracing us with tender tears falling.

You, shouting and rejoicing and gathering angels around.

You, lavishing us with grace and mercy, to no end.

It’s what makes the Father’s love so great. So undeniably irresistible.

May we love You more ~ and more like You. You never stop coming for us. You are a good, good Father. You are our beautiful Emmanuel.

Glory to God, Amen.                 

Reflect:

Do you struggle to receive and/or give compassion? Why?

How could YOU receive compassion ... by the Father and/or by someone wanting to extend you a “kiss of compassion”?

How (and to whom) could you take one step of compassionate obedience today?