A bus stopped, and a man with four children shuffled on. The man sunk into a seat and stared out the window while two children fought and two wailed.

The passengers whispered, "Why isn't he disciplining his children?”

As the havoc continued, a woman covering her ears tapped the man on the shoulder and retorted, "Control your kids!”

The teary-eyed man mumbled, “I'm sorry. I just buried their mother.” With a few words, her perspective changed from criticism to compassion. After my friend shared that story with me, I realized that I'm quick to judge. I usually don't have all the facts, and I assume that I would never do that.

But maybe I know the situation. The person has wronged me or just made a mess of his/her life. I desire punishment and not mercy.

How can we show more compassion?

“And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” Ephesians 4:32

We need to realize the tables could be turned. We listen to understand and love like Christ because of what Christ did for us. His compassion to us allows us to extend compassion to others. 

In the parable of the prodigal son, the younger son returns home longing for a second chance. Two different responses are recorded. 

His father saw him a long way off, implying that he had been habitually watching and hoping for his return, and was “filled with compassion” (Luke 15:20). He hugged his stinky, starving son and threw a party.

He believed the best of his son and offered a second chance. 

But his older brother heard the news and was filled with anger, refusing to join the celebration. He demanded justice and failed to realize all that his father had already done for him. 

He focused on all his brother's faults while neglecting his own. 

Are we like the compassionate father or the critical brother?

Compassion flows as we remember what Jesus did for us. “While we were sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).