Are you selective with your compassion, like the Pharisees? Do you prefer to be compassionate on your own terms or only when it benefits you? It’s easy—and tempting—to only show compassion to those who you like (and who like you), to those who look, think, or act like you. It’s hard to show compassion to those who hate you for how you love them or persecute you for your differing beliefs and ideals. It’s much harder to be compassionate to your enemies. But this is exactly the radical level of compassion Jesus calls us to exemplify in our lives. It’s the same compassion Jesus showed for us when he died on the cross for our sins, when he suffered for people who would fail, deny, and dishonor him time and time again. The way of Jesus is to show compassion to any and all—even those who can offer us little to nothing in return. Today and every day, make the choice to practice Christ-like compassion, one person at a time.
'The Ministry of Jesus' Sermon Series