Compassion for Pain

“But a Samaritan while traveling came upon him, and when he saw him he was moved with compassion.”

Pain, whether our own or that of others, creates discomfort and often pushes us away from sitting with the discomfort. In our passage for today, we see this reality through a parable of Jesus. After a man was beaten and robbed, a priest and a Levite came upon this man at separate times, but each passed on by without much more than a glance. It was not until the Good Samaritan passed by that we see an important trait of the Christian life: compassion. The Good Samaritan not only moved toward the suffering man, but he allowed the pain of the other to draw out a compassionate response.

The response of the priest and Levite captures an unfortunate reality of our own experiences with pain and suffering, which is to shield ourselves from the pain by turning from it. We are taught that pain and emotion are a sign of weakness and must be avoided. Contrary to this cultural norm, we find throughout all four Gospels that Jesus’s response to those on the margins who experience discomfort was that he was moved. Despite the suffering he experienced during his earthly ministry, Jesus let the pain of others move him toward compassion. His own pain was not a barrier toward compassion. Rather, it moved him toward those in pain.

Jesus and the Good Samaritan’s response to pain captures an important counter-cultural lifestyle for the Christian: to move toward others, meet them, and show compassion in their pain. This progression is important. It reflects growth in ministering to those in pain. We begin with a movement toward the other. We may then embody a ministry of presence. We finally respond to them in their need, reflecting the compassion of Christ.

Lord Jesus Christ, may the compassion of your heart radiate in and through me all the days of my life. Amen.

STEPHEN WEATHERMAN
Master of Arts in Theology and Sports Studies Student
Waco, Texas