A God Condition
With a little compassion, anything is possible.
Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly. - Matthew 15:21-28
There is a young man who comes around each day looking for a handout. He will take the food we offer, but he also needs money.
The staff would like to send him away because he can become belligerent. He suffers from some mental condition, for which he takes medication, so he can be unruly or calm, depending on the day and his mental state.
Each time he asks for money, he says it is the last time, but I know it won't be and though the pattern repeats, I still feel for him and offer him something.
I think of the Canaanite woman when I see him. She shouted to get attention, and then once she had it, made demands for help.
Jesus showed compassion and gave the woman what she asked for.
So, here is a question. Is compassion a human condition or a God condition?
I think it is a God condition, something God has shown us throughout history and came to become one of us to show us we too can have compassion for others, sometimes at no small personal cost.
We don't think that Jesus gave up much when he cured the sick, but we read in Mark's Gospel that he felt the power leave him when a woman touched his garment, so perhaps he did feel the loss when he showed compassion.
And still he did these things for the people he didn't even know.
What can we learn from this?
More to come...