Little could those shepherds abiding in the field have imagined that they would see Jesus, let alone be the first to witness God’s promise fulfilled. Like a pre-Christendom world, the world before Jesus’ death and resurrection, many have heard about Jesus, but perhaps don’t really know Jesus. A recent poll showed that over 53% of Americans have little Bible knowledge. When Jesus is seen in our lives, (homes, church, community, world) it makes an impact on others. In this season of Advent, as we once again anticipate the Word becoming flesh so He is seen among us, what insight and encouragement can we give to let Jesus be seen in our words and actions? That’s the challenge for us as we work together to proclaim the Gospel.

May these Advent Devotions be a blessing to you.
Called to Compassion

Jesus  went  through all the towns and villages,  teaching  in their synagogues,  proclaiming  the good news of the kingdom and  healing  every disease and sickness.  36  When he   saw  the crowds, he had  compassion  on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  37  Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  38  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
 
 
As followers of Jesus we have been “called”: called to care, called to clothe ourselves with compassion (Col. 3:12). The term "called” stands out starkly, because it does not come naturally to us, as sinful people. As Peter states, “To this you were  called , because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:21). Because Jesus cared so greatly for His creation, He actively and consciously “went” to people sharing, teaching, proclaiming and healing. His actions to care for others took significant effort, cost Him valuable time, opportunities to rest and relax, and were no doubt rarely convenient for Him. Yet despite the grueling nature of caring deeply for everyone, Jesus saw people, had compassion on them, and gave His all, in every possible way. 

Compelled by the love of Christ, we follow His example of how we are called to live. We are challenged to “have the same mindset as Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5). What was the mindset of Christ Jesus? It's simple: He loved us. He loved us sacrificially and He calls us to love one another “Just as I loved you” (John 15:12). Think about what that means…Jesus gave His  all  for us. Jesus loved us  sacrificially . We are called to love one another with the same sacrificial kind of love, an undeniable contrast in our culture of constantly selfish focus.

Against the tide of a world consumed with trivial distractions, this call to love sacrificially is radical. To care for and love others is not just a feeling, it's a choice--and it demands action.  The Greek word for compassion is “Splagchnizomai”, which translates to mean an inward aching that “moves, compels, drives, shakes” us to action. Every time Jesus had compassion, He acted--whether healing, feeding or teaching. We are called to care so deeply about the people around us that it compels us to act.

Remember, compassion costs. It costs time, money, and energy. It costs us the chance to melt into the crowd, to ignore, or to wait for someone else to step up. Be willing to be interrupted. Be willing to slow down and to truly see people and wonder about them. Be willing to give of yourself and watch God work in and through you. Remarkably, compassion truly changes people. Every time Jesus had compassion on someone, that person was changed for eternity. The great compassion of Jesus changed each one of us through His sacrifice on the cross and subsequent resurrection. Thanks to His radical love, we are His, we are forgiven, and we have everlasting life.

       Your challenge is this: in the midst of this hectic season, be on an incarnational mission. Be the hands and feet of Jesus, no matter if you're waiting in line at a store or making time in your busy schedule to meet with someone who's hurting. Live love in all that you do: Love Jesus, Love people, and Serve the World. As you love and have compassion, watch the Holy Spirit work in and through you to change lives.

Rev. Dr. Paul Burtzlaff, Pastor
Our Savior Lutheran, St Petersburg, FL