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Moved by Mercy

Like many West African women, Jaroben suffered a childbirth injury which left her incontinent. She was abandoned by her husband and shunned by her community. For 46 years she lived in humiliation and isolation.  But, after a free surgery onboard the Mercy Ship, Jaroben was completely transformed. She had a new dress, a beautiful smile, and renewed hope. Jaroben joyfully said, “I never imagined I would be able to stand amongst people or sit and talk with friends.”

The origin of the word ‘compassion’ is the idea of ‘suffering with’. To be compassionate is to be so moved by the condition of others that we ourselves suffer with them. Jesus had compassion with the crowds who followed Him. He was moved by the spiritual and physical suffering of people like Jaroben. This is why He preached the good news of God’s Kingdom and healed their diseases. Later, on the cross, Jesus suffered with and for us physically.  God’s love for us led Him to suffer with us and die for us, so that we can be with Him in Heaven, where all pain will cease.

In our second passage we see the depth of God’s heart for people as Jesus cries out to Jerusalem, the city that has rejected Him and will kill Him. Even in that place, God’s heart is to gather and protect.

Call to action – It can be tempting to shield ourselves from the pain of others. Perhaps we are even fearful of letting other people’s pain and suffering affect our own lives, so we keep it at arms length or hide from those who are suffering.  Ask God to teach you how to have compassion, how to ‘suffer with’ others in their times of adversity or pain.