Show Compassion
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31-32)
Yesterday we talked about Peter and John stopping to help the lame beggar outside of the temple. So today, I want us to take a closer look at a very specific part of this story, and that’s the grace and compassion Peter and John showed this man in need.
When the beggar asked them for money, they didn’t say to him, “Look, we got ours. You just need to get yours.” They didn’t say, “We pull ourselves up by our bootstraps every day, so why don’t you learn to do the same?” No, they didn’t say anything like that. Instead, they saw the man. They stopped for the man, and they spoke to the man.
This poor, marginalized beggar was trying to feed his family in a world that discriminated against people like him. Don’t miss the subtle tension in this passage either. The Bible says he was sitting by the gate called “Beautiful,” but he was dealing with some pretty horrible circumstances.
However, Peter and John set a great example for us of what it looks like to show grace and compassion towards everyone we come in contact with. They didn’t make assumptions. They didn’t judge him. They simply did what they could to help him and to show him the love of Jesus. We would be wise to follow their lead as we have opportunities to show compassion and grace in our lives as well.
Yesterday we talked about Peter and John stopping to help the lame beggar outside of the temple. So today, I want us to take a closer look at a very specific part of this story, and that’s the grace and compassion Peter and John showed this man in need.
When the beggar asked them for money, they didn’t say to him, “Look, we got ours. You just need to get yours.” They didn’t say, “We pull ourselves up by our bootstraps every day, so why don’t you learn to do the same?” No, they didn’t say anything like that. Instead, they saw the man. They stopped for the man, and they spoke to the man.
This poor, marginalized beggar was trying to feed his family in a world that discriminated against people like him. Don’t miss the subtle tension in this passage either. The Bible says he was sitting by the gate called “Beautiful,” but he was dealing with some pretty horrible circumstances.
However, Peter and John set a great example for us of what it looks like to show grace and compassion towards everyone we come in contact with. They didn’t make assumptions. They didn’t judge him. They simply did what they could to help him and to show him the love of Jesus. We would be wise to follow their lead as we have opportunities to show compassion and grace in our lives as well.
Subscribe Now for Free Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Plenty of RoomThankful for Your SeatWho God Invites to the TableThat’s the PointWe Do Not Have a Monopoly on GodStop Talking So LoudLet God Handle the Guest ListA Long-Awaited ReunionSeeing Jesus for YourselfIn Possession of a Personal PromiseGet in the Right PositionReady to ReceiveAligning Your Life for God's PromiseWaiting with ExpectancyGrounded in PrayerStrength in PrayerPatience Through PrayerStay Focused Through PrayerGod's Conditional PromisesGod’s PriorityGrounded in FaithTrusting God's TimingThe Assurance of God's PromisesIs It Well With Your Soul?Health vs. HealingStewarding Your BodyA Holistic View of SpiritualityGod Cares About Your BodyWhat You Put in MattersNourishing Your SoulThe Power of Prevention
February
The Power of a ComebackHealing from the PastStop Blaming and Start TrustingBury the Past to Claim the FutureFacing Trauma with TruthCelebrate That You SurvivedRepair What is BrokenNothing God Can’t FixDon’t Swing at Bad PitchesStick to God’s PlanDon’t Let Desperation Drive YouShift Your WeightWho Knows Best?A Good Idea Isn’t Always a God IdeaPeace in God’s PlanFinding Purpose in God’s PlanProsperity in God’s PlanTrusting God’s Plan, Pace, and ProcessKnowing When to PivotGod Hasn’t Given Up on YouNext-Level Faith Requires PerseveranceA New Revelation of GodIt’s Not All About YouNext-Level ConnectionsNext-Level CommitmentA Prayer That Moves GodPrayers That Carry a BurdenPray With Boldness
March
A Solid FoundationPositioned for BlessingMarked by LoveTrust God's JudgmentRest in God's DeliveranceLet Go of ControlWhat You Want MostWhy Church Still MattersFaith in the Midst of DisappointmentJoy for the JourneyA Place of SafetyStrength in CommunityPeace in the ChaosThe Purpose of the ValleySeasons ChangeUnshaken in the StormHold OnThe Power of ResilienceNever AloneGod Is Closer Than You ThinkLet Go of WorryLet Go of WorryBelieve Before You SeeResilient FaithHow to Be a Success God's WayTrue Success Starts with the SoulSuccess Through SurrenderCharacter That Speaks for ItselfThe Power of Being RealKeep GrowingSuccess in the Face of Opposition
No Comments