13 When the Lord saw her, He felt compassion for her, and said to her, “Do not weep.” Luke 7:13 (NAS)

[Read Luke 7:11-17]

There’s a major shortage of compassion in the world these days. The ability to “comment” with no physical attachment has revealed the true hearts of humankind. It’s both ugly and terrifying to witness. The fear is that sooner or later one’s destiny will be in the hands of a person with no heart and soul.

This fear is quelled by knowing the Lord of compassion. My Lord feels compassion toward me in times of pain and sorrow and fully comprehends the implications of what befalls me. Here a widow had lost her “only begotten son,” conceivably the only one left in the world who would care for her. The understanding that the God of the universe is compassionate and cares is the very basis upon which we pray.

Here he brought a corpse back to life to show the extent he can go to fix our problems. This account presented only in Luke’s gospel not only teaches us Christiology in a classic sense (the study of the Christ), but shows his raw power to change our circumstances if he so desires. Regardless the corrective measures he might take, knowing that my Lord has compassion for me should be enough.

More important is that I should feel compassion for others from “my inward parts” as he feels it for me. By extending his compassion to others we can have the same effect of bringing the dead back to life, in that it instills hope in God. We are God’s representatives on earth, as Jesus was when he was here (“God has visited His people!” v.16).

May I reach out and touch someone hurting and say “don’t cry, and here’s why.” On the other hand we’re told to “weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15