“I’ve got a gut feeling about that!” — We’ve all said that or felt that. There’s a long history in that metaphor. That ancient Greeks used a word that refers to the parts of the abdomen, the intestines and organs, to mean how we feel about something. This word is used for the idea of “compassion.” Compassion is rooted in our feelings for others, our love and sensitivity to their needs and pains. Their suffering becomes our suffering.As followers of Jesus we are to have compassion for others. Jesus had compassion. A comment that we may overlook is “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them” (Matt. 9:36). This passage continues to tell us why Jesus had compassion on them: “because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”Jesus saw their struggles and their troubles. But He saw their spiritual need too. Now too often it is easier to be the “judge” instead of the sympathizer. Our example of Jesus Christ is one who can sympathize with us (Heb. 4:15) so we must follow His example.Compassion drives us to care for the others, especially their spiritual condition. We must develop an “eye” to see the needs of others. The “heart” to feel their needs. And a “hand” to act on what we now see and feel.We must see the physical needs of others. Jesus saw the hunger of the crowd (Matt. 15:32). Jesus cares about the physical needs, so we must also care about the needs of others. But just because we can see their need, and maybe even feel pity and compassion, the next step is to do something. At the heart of compassion is the concept of “suffering together with” others.Paul told us that we are to have compassion, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.…” (Col. 3:12). Having compassion and acting on that has a double effect. It helps others—but it helps the giver too!Some “side-effects” of compassion includes a lifted spirit, a feeling of connection to those around you, greater mindfulness, and reduced depression. There are several studies that show how it helps our own bodes!Compassion is an act of the heart. Compassion grows when we develop a love for the lost. Compassion follows the process of seeing, feeling, acting! One of the great stories of compassion is found in Luke 15 ...