Captivated by Compassion
Compassion - from ecclesiastical Latin compassio(n-), from compati - ‘suffer with’
The week had been a long one. In all matters of work, family, personal, ministry - each had taken a toll during this time. Perhaps you have been there too where you feel a heaviness from the load you are carrying and are waiting for at least one area in life to give you a chance to catch your breath. You feel the load, you try to carry it on your own, you rest and rise with the same heaviness allowing it to carry into each day. I’ve been there. Then, one day I was having breakfast with a friend, and while they did not know the state of all the things or my mindset at the time, when she said my name her voice was filled with warmth and such compassion. I left that breakfast feeling a little lighter. Then leaving the office late that night, as I walked away from the building still carrying the weight of it all, I heard my name spoken with the same warmth and compassion, and with it came a peace that broke through the heaviness. I looked around me and no one was around. My heart heard Jesus calling my name through it all.
In that moment, my first thoughts went to when Jesus appeared to Mary Magdelene after the resurrection. I could picture that moment in the garden so clearly….read with me John 20:11-15 right after the tomb was found empty:
“But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”
She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”
14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”
She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!”
She turned and said to [c]Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).”
Mary came with such a heaviness, the loss of her friend and Lord to death, and while fresh with grief, she finds that his body no longer rests in its tomb. The fresh grief and heaviness that must have filled her. Have you been there? Has your heart been burning? Have you felt the weight of circumstances in your life when you think Jesus is not present?
Hear Him call your name through the tears today. Hear the compassion and warmth in his voice. Feel your heart jump as you recognize and know that voice. Recognize Him in this moment and be captivated by His Compassion.
He sees you.
He hears you.
He knows you.
He is calling your name today and is filled with compassion for you.
As we continue reading in John 20, Jesus tells Mary about things to come and she then runs to tell the disciples that she had seen the Lord and the things He had spoken to her. Mary testified.
Do you hear Him calling your name today?