“Be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate to you.” Luke 6:36, TLV

Compassion Like Peanut Butter?         Boy, what a battle I had. Was the Holy Spirit really wanting me to talk about Luke, believed to be a Gentile doctor who had more than a casual understanding of Biblical Judaism?*

Or, follow Yeshua’s injection of this verse in the middle His Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:17–49)?

The Holy Spirit won, of course. It is, after all, all about Jesus and His Father.

So here goes.

“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great and you will be sons of Elyon [God Most High], for He is kind to the ungrateful and evil ones.” (vs. 35, TLV)

Segregation. It’s a controversial word. No one wants to believe it is still prevalent. It’s not just a racial issue — it’s an attitude of “us” and “them.”

But our Heavenly Father doesn’t see the “us” and “them.” Why? Because the Father is still working His Plan. The Plan His Son knows, but we have only an inkling of.

So, what should our response to belief disagreements be — since we aren’t privy to everything in the Creator of the Universe’s mind?

First and foremost, we begin from a place of gratitude not entitlement. Then, the natural response to our deep gratitude will be compassion. Because compassion includes both mercy and grace — what we are shown by Him each day.

Next, have an understanding of truth. Dig in the Word of God. Study. Live it.

Rather than segregating the “saved” and “unsaved” in our day-to-day life, Jesus is saying be like His Father. Compassionate. Even to those who don’t believe the way we do? Yes.

Come on, even those who don’t vote the way we do? Yes.

But why?

Because in our Father’s great Plan, He knows those who will come around and become His redeemed children. We don’t.

So, are we to sprinkle a bit of compassion like sprinkles on an ice cream cone, or spread compassion like peanut butter on a slice of bread and trust in a merciful and just GOD to figure out the rest?

Unfortunately, these days, even compassion is met with violence—physical and/or verbal. How do we best handle that? Seek the Holy Spirit. But, I would recommend to walk away and leave the situation to Him.

Think More About It

What do you think? How do you “spread” compassion in a tense conversation?

May we spread compassion like peanut butter, my friends.

* In fact, some scholars believe it was Luke who wrote the book of Hebrews, not Paul whom most believe did. I couldn’t say, so I plan to ask him when I get to heaven.

Pray for Israel—Prayer Prompt

He who avenges blood remembers.
He will not forget the cry of the afflicted.
Be compassionate to me, ADONAI.
See my affliction from those hating me.
Lift me up from the gates of death.
Then I will tell all your praises
in the gates of the daughter of Zion,
rejoicing in Your salvation. Psalm 9:13-15, TLV

Yes, be compassionate to Israel and her people, dear LORD. See their affliction from those hating her and lift her from the gates of death. May this bring revival and even now may there be an elevation of praise and rejoicing. Amen.