Helping the Hurting

Matthew 14:14 (NKJV)
14 And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.

There is something powerful that happens when true need is connected to provision by way of compassion. This verse says that there were four steps to effectively alleviating pain and suffering.

First he "went out". You can't help in a need until you first see the need. Many organizations had their origin in being in a situation that caused them to see a need. Once the need was seen, things began to happen and resources were discovered and brought to the need. The need would have never been seen until someone went out. Jesus said to "go out" and compel them to come in. It is an easy thing for the church who began by "going out" to change to extending a call to the world to "come in". You can't see and feel the same things when they come to you as when you go to them.

Secondly, as Jesus went out, he "saw". You can hear about things and situations and circumstances and you might be appalled. However, when you "see" it for yourself, deeper abilities to bring healing are called upon from within you. That power source that Jesus gives within you is released by "seeing" a need.

Next Jesus was "moved with compassion". When there is a loss of this being "moved with compassion", there is a loss of an ability to heal the sick or meet the need. There is a vast difference between empathy and compassion. Empathy is defined as, "the intellectual identification with or vicarious experiencing of the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of another." You can have this intellectual experience and walk on by. You are sorry for the plight of the one suffering but that is about the depth of your experience. Compassion on the other hand is a completely different experience. Compassion is defined as, " a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering." Notice the last part, "accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering". That is what Jesus experienced!

The result of the first three things was, "and healed their sick". There is a direct connection between a release of supernatural power to heal and compassion. Empathy may bring a moment of mercy but compassion can bring a lifetime of service. Empathy is a picture of the Levite seeing the suffering man dying in the road. Compassion is the good Samaritan who puts his life on hold until he does all he can to bring help to the one suffering.

May the Lord grant us a fresh baptism in the waters of compassion.