Compassion...redefined ~ by Billy

I've always correlated compassion with the word pity. When I think of the phrase "Jesus looked on the crowd and had compassion." I subconsciously interchange compassion with pity, so the paraphrase becomes "Jesus looked on the poor pathetic people and had pity on them." This definition of compassion has become infinitely more clear to me now.


Jesus didn't have pity on them because of their harsh living existence. He didn't feel sorry for the crowds because they were sick. He loved them with a passion that necessitated action. He loved them so much; He would do anything, risk anything for them. He loved them so much that He couldn't stand the thought that they could be in pain.

I'm not sure why it's taken me 30 years to grasp this concept. My heart aches to be with the friends I've made in Cambodia. I do not feel sorry for them, I don't pity them. I would do anything for them.