Compassion--The Heart of Christ

Do you really understand what it means to have the "heart of Christ?" I must confess that I struggle to have a heart of compassion like he had. The Gospels strongly emphasize how often Jesus felt strong "compassion" for hurting people (Matt. 9:36; 14:14; 15:32; Luke 7:13). As followers of Christ, we are instructed to have hearts that are moved with compassion for hurting people also. One of the most fundamental lessons in the "school of Christ-likeness" is to have a heart that is moved for the hurting. The Apostle John put it bluntly, "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth" (1 John 3:17-18).

Tragedy struck West and Middle Tennessee the first week of May. We have seen the horrific pictures of the Opryland Hotel with water up to the exit signs. We have been shocked by the videos of major Interstates turned into waterways. Some have compared the damage in Nashville to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Criticism has been plentiful over the lack of media coverage about the flooding in the Music City. Yet, outlying areas like Centerville in Hickman County were hit even harder than Nashville (though it is a small town). People are hurting. Our brothers and sisters in Christ are hurting also. Some congregations have multiple families who have lost everything. I heard of one church that had at least 12 families who have lost all their possessions.

When the Apostle Paul went about preaching the gospel and establishing congregations, he taught the foundational concept of having the "heart of Christ." He taught them the basic teaching of Jesus, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). These Gentile Christians had "received" a great blessing from the church in Judea--the gospel had originally sounded forth from Jerusalem. But a great famine had come to Judea and the disciples decided that "everyone according to his ability" would "send relief to the brothers living in Judea" (Acts 11:27-30). Everywhere Paul went preaching, he collected a financial contribution to help in this relief (cf. 1 Cor. 16:1-4; Rom. 15:25-28). Since the Gentiles had received the "spiritual blessing" from Judea, the least they could do would be to contribute "material blessings" to help those hurting in Jerusalem (Rom. 15:27). The Gentile converts got it; they understood the spirit of Christ. They had compassion for those who were hurting. They knew the blessing of giving was greater than blessings received. They opened their hearts to the hurting rather than stifling the feelings of compassion for others.

We now have a great opportunity ourselves. The Lord's church has benefited greatly from the spiritual teaching that has come forth from Nashville, TN. Countless people (including myself) can trace much of their spiritual heritage to the preachers, authors, books and evangelistic efforts of the church in Nashville. The least we can do now, in their hour of need, is to dig deep and help our brothers and sisters who are physically hurting. Compassion--it is the heart of Christ. The elders here have determined to send aid to help those hurting in Nashville and surrounding areas. If you can make any donation (no matter the amount) please give your contribution to one of the elders or the church office. Will will have the heart of Christ and open our hearts toward them?

Additional Note: If you are reading this article online and would like to contribute, I recommend donating to Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Fund.