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Coming Up
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Reaching Out Stirring Up Compassion
October 14, 2003
It is often recorded that Jesus was “moved with compassion” before He did something.
The word used here is splagchnizomai (literally, “to have the bowels yearn”). Clearly, it is a deep, “from the innermost parts” type of yearning and concern. This same word is also used in three of Jesus’ parables.
We see that Jesus was moved with compassion and… We also see that compassion enabled a character in each parable to go above and beyond what would normally be expected in each situation. The Samaritan provided very generously for the injured man. The father not only forgave the prodigal son for squandering his inheritance but threw an elaborate party to celebrate his return. The master forgave the servant’s very large debt. Compassion is clearly important. I have often wondered if it is not the most important factor in seeing miracles or receiving anointing for ministry. It certainly seems crucial in order to do anything in an extravagantly gracious, God-sized way. Larry Crabb and others in the Christian counseling field make the point that a person is most helped by a relationship in which they are loved, as opposed to one in which they feel they are a mere “client” or “project.” They warn us that we should not think we can help a person if we don’t love them. Paul often spoke of his love for the saints and the love he wanted them to have for each other. Six times he uses the word schagchon (literally, bowel) which is closely related to the word splagchnizomai noted above. It is usually translated affection, tender mercy or heart. He told the Philippians that he loved them with the “affection of Christ.” (Phil 1:8) He exhorted the Colossians to, “as the elect of God, put on tender mercies.” (Col 3:12) And he said to the Corinthians, “You are not restricted by us but you are restricted by your own affections.” (2 Cor 2:6) Also, see 2 Cor 7:5, Phil 2:1, and Philem 7, 12, 20. The Apostle John used the same word when he said, “But whoever has this world’s goods and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, does the love of God abide in him?” (I Jn 3:17) Clearly, we, as God’s people, can have this deep, “from the bowel” affection but, it is also clear that this can be “restricted” or “shut up” in our lives. As I consider the history of the church (universal and local) and my own life, I see seasons of spiritual slumber and awakening, dryness and revival. Usually one seems to pave the way to the other. I am wondering if we could also divide our history into seasons of learning to “look with compassion” and seasons of the enhanced levels of ministry which follow this. In my own life, I think I have cycled through these phases several times. I am hoping that it is with more depth each time as I increasingly see that my effectiveness in ministry is related to my level of “splagchnon/splagchnizomai” compassion and love. It seems that the ache in my heart is growing deeper. Are my “bowels” yearning yet as the Greek word describes? Do I care deeply, from my innermost being, about the “sheep without a shepherd” who need to be taught, the sick who need healing, the harvest that is “white” and waiting to be reaped or the multitudes who are weary and hungry? I think the yearning must become very deep, very profound before we are ready to move into the second phase, the season of walking in an enhanced anointing in ministry, and particularly the level of ministry that would allow us to see miracles like Jesus saw. I know it will take a deep level of compassion to get us to the place of the extravagant graciousness that is spoken of in the parables. It seems that God is willing to spend years to bring the church or individuals in the church to the place of fulfillment of the “moved with compassion” phase. He uses barrenness, dryness, trials. He uses various circumstances to bring us to a place of understanding our own sinfulness and He works masterfully to take judgment toward others out of our hearts. He wants us to be moved to compassion “for the multitudes” like Jesus. Not just for one or two. He wants us to be moved with compassion such that we will see miracles occur and so that we will accurately depict His vast love. I believe many churches and individuals in the body of Christ are about to cross a threshold into the “results” of compassion. I believe that the level of our results will mirror the level of our ache. Many in the body of Christ are aching deeply. They are yearning in their innermost parts. Deep is calling unto deep. As the psalmist says, “Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls. All Your waves and billows have gone over me.” (Ps 42:7) Lord, we are at Your waterfalls. We hear the roar of Your All Power and Sufficiency. It has drowned out the sound of our ideas and opinions. We have experienced the waves and billows of overwhelming circumstances that You have allowed to wash over us. We are crying out. Is deep calling unto deep? Is a deep, “from the bowels, from our innermost parts” yearning crying out? Oh, God, if it is not, stir it up in us. Stir us. Cause us to care in ways we never have before. Expand our restricted affections and open up the chambers of our hearts. Cause us to look upon people and situations with the compassion of Christ. Allow us, in our day, to do works that will bring great glory to Your name.
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