October 21, 2025
As I delved into the Bible, I was struck by the profound stories of compassion that thread through its pages. From the Old Testament’s tales of divine love to the New Testament’s accounts of Jesus’ boundless mercy, these stories aren’t just historical accounts; they’re a call to action. Exploring these narratives, I couldn’t help but be moved by the depth of God’s love. …
When diving into the Bible, we’re met with countless stories that showcase Jesus’ immense compassion. He didn’t just preach love; He lived it, touching lives wherever He went. ... One of the most profound examples of Jesus’ compassion is found in the story of Him healing the lepers. Imagine the scene: ten men, outcasts due to their leprosy, standing at a distance, their voices filled with desperation as they cry out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” (Luke 17:13).
Leprosy wasn’t just a disease; it was a sentence to a life of isolation. Yet, Jesus saw beyond their disease. He saw their hearts, their desperation for healing, and He responded with compassion. He told them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests” (Luke 17:14). And as they went, they were cleansed. …
Another vivid portrayal of Jesus’ compassion unfolds in the story of feeding the 5,000. Picture it: a vast crowd, hungry and tired, far from any source of food. But they were hungry for more than just bread; they were hungry for the words of life Jesus offered.
Seeing the need, Jesus didn’t turn them away. Instead, He took five loaves and two fish, and after giving thanks, He miraculously multiplied them to feed the entire crowd. This story, found in all four Gospels, highlights not just a miracle of provision but the depth of Jesus’ compassion. He cared for their spiritual hunger and their physical needs. …
Each of these stories offers us a glimpse into the heart of Jesus. His compassion wasn’t limited by social status, sin, or sickness. He saw every person as worth His love and His miraculous touch. As I reflect on these accounts, I’m reminded that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His compassion is as available to us now as it was back then. Through prayer, faith, and a heart open to receiving His love, we too can experience the transformative power of His compassion in our lives.
Reflecting on these Bible stories, it’s clear that compassion is at the heart of Jesus’ teachings and actions. He didn’t just preach about love and kindness; He lived it every day by reaching out to those in need, regardless of their status or situation.
Through His example, we learn the true essence of compassion—it’s not just about feeling sorry for someone but actively seeking to alleviate their suffering. These stories aren’t just ancient texts; they’re a call to action for us to embody compassion in our lives. Let’s be inspired by Jesus’ example to break down barriers and extend our love to everyone, demonstrating that compassion is indeed limitless.—Duke Tabor1
In the Old Testament, God is described as having compassion more than a dozen times, and in the Gospels, Jesus is said to feel compassion six times. A story in Luke 13:10–17, the healing of the bent-over woman, illustrates Jesus’ compassion in action, and also gives a window into the empathetic understanding that contributed to that compassion.
The woman is described as “bent over” and “unable to stand up straight” (Luke 13:11). On the Sabbath, she comes into a synagogue where Jesus is teaching. When Jesus sees her, he calls her over to him and heals her. …
I feel a strong sense of identification with this woman. I don’t have osteoporosis, but I can already see that as I age, my shoulders want to droop. … In addition, I often feel bent over with responsibilities and burdened with sadness about things going on in the lives of family members and friends. I also feel bowed down with the weight of all the things that go wrong in the world. …
When Jesus heals the woman, he uses the words, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment” (Luke 13:12). How I long to be set free from the feelings of anxiety and pressure that weigh me down! How grateful I am that God has given me joy and freedom so many times in the decades I have been a follower of Jesus.
When Jesus calls the woman to him as she enters the synagogue and then heals her, Jesus shows great compassion. He sees that she is bent over, and he is moved by her situation and takes action to make it better. This combination of being moved internally and then acting in response is the essence of compassion.
Because this event took place on the Sabbath, the ruler of the synagogue is not pleased with Jesus’ action. Over the centuries leading up to Jesus’ birth, Jewish leaders had codified the Sabbath, and they used 39 verbs—including healing—to describe actions that were prohibited on the Sabbath. …
After being criticized by the ruler of the synagogue, Jesus notes that Jews believed it was appropriate on the Sabbath to free an animal in order to bring it to water (Luke 13:15). He continues, “And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the Sabbath day?” (Luke 13:16). The phrase “eighteen long years” is a key indicator of the empathetic understanding that contributed to Jesus’ compassion. …
In the story of the healing of the bent-over woman, Jesus demonstrates the kind of empathetic understanding that undergirds compassion. He is moved by her suffering, and takes initiative to relieve it. May we all grow in empathy and compassion after the model of Jesus, guided and empowered by God’s Spirit.—Lynne M. Baab2
The Bible contains phenomenal examples of various Bible characters acting with compassion. Many Bible stories are filled with kindness, mercy, and compassion. … For example, Joseph of Arimathea who prepared his personal tomb for his Messiah, or the woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her hair. Through them, we learn that showing compassion and kindness isn’t simply about being nice—it can be an act of worship of our Savior.
Galatians 5:22–23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” The fruit of the Holy Spirit is what God desires our lives to reflect, and that includes kindness born of compassion.
When others keep a safe distance from suffering, a compassionate person acts. There are many different ways to show compassion or be compassionate, and there are numerous examples in the Old Testament and New Testament of compassionate biblical characters empathizing, showing mercy to someone else or experiencing compassion themselves.
The true definition of compassion involves a tangible expression of love for those who are suffering. Compassion is not just an awareness of another person’s suffering. It moves beyond a simple desire to reduce suffering. A compassionate person recognizes the suffering of others and then takes action to help. …
Jesus Christ, the Messiah, exemplified compassion during his ministry on earth. One of the most poignant examples of compassion in the Bible is when Jesus showed compassion at the grave of Lazarus. When Jesus saw Lazarus’ friends weeping, he wept alongside them (John 11:33–35). Over and over, our Lord Jesus Christ felt compassion on people, healing them and comforting them. He saw the large crowd as sheep without a shepherd and he came to give them purpose and shelter.
As the Son of God, Jesus possessed more than we can ever imagine. Even so, he gave up everything, voluntarily and selflessly sacrificing himself for us so that we can have eternal life. In that sacrifice, we see the greatest example of compassion in the Bible! ...
1 John 3:17 says, “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” This means that love is not in words or speech. It is displayed in actions and in truth. He says that love is active, not just felt, thought, or spoken.
When others may keep their distance from those who are suffering, godly compassion prompts us to act on the behalf of the hurting. When we see people who are poor, lacking basic necessities, or are fatherless, we are called to show mercy through compassionate action.
As we consider the compassion God has shown to us, we can respond with compassion to those around us.—Compassion.com3
If we are to be effective messengers and ambassadors for Jesus, we have to go forth with the love of Christ (Romans 5:8) and be willing to give of ourselves as Jesus did. That will mean different things in each situation, but it comes down to making the sacrifices needed to show the Lord’s love to those in need.
It can be overwhelming to think about the Great Commission we have been given. We likely feel incapable of effectively representing the Savior’s love and compassion for people. You might feel that you don’t have nearly enough love in your heart or that you don’t have a deep enough understanding or sufficient compassion.
If you feel that way, I want to encourage you to trust that God has given us His love and His Spirit that will motivate us to share Jesus’ truths with others. Remember that it is God who works in and through us to be His love and compassion for others (Philippians 2:13). The love that Jesus had for us is what motivated Him to come to earth and live among us and die for us so that we could be saved and live with Him forever.
Love is what motivated the great missionaries of the past to leave their homes, communities, and countries, in order to answer the Lord’s call in their heart to tell others about Him. Their love for Jesus compelled them, and His love will do the same for us as we go forth to share His love with others and to be a living example of His compassion (2 Corinthians 5:14–15).—Maria Fontaine
Published on Anchor October 2025. Read by Debra Lee. Music by John Listen.
1 Duke Tabor, “7 Inspiring Bible Stories About Compassion That Transform Hearts Today,” Answered Faith, March 8, 2024, https://answeredfaith.com/bible-stories-compassion
2 Lynne M. Baab, “The Compassion and Empathy of Jesus,” lynnebaab.com, https://www.lynnebaab.com/articles/new---the-compassion-and-empathy-of-jesu
3 “Compassion in the Bible,” compassion.com, https://www.compassion.com/poverty/compassionate-bible-characters.htm
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