Bible Reading: Exodus 9,10,11; Matthew 15:21-39.
“Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.” – Matthew 15:32 (KJV)
Jesus is the greatest leader the world had ever known, and we are looking unto Him (Hebrews 12:2). One of His finest attribute is His compassion towards people. He showed compassion many times in scriptures. Compassion has been described in many ways to include having pity, mercy, empathy, kindness, etc. It involves showing kindness, care, and a strong desire and willingness to help others or alleviate their suffering. Jesus never left people the way he met them, compassion moved Him to change their positions. Compassion must be a quality all leaders must have.
Isaiah 49:10 (NASB) says, “They will not hunger or thirst, Nor will the scorching heat or Sun strike them down; For he who has compassion on them will lead them and will guide them to springs of water.” Compassion for his people made Moses kill an Egyptian, fled Egypt and came back again to Egypt. The desire to see a change in the position of his people made him a very great leader till this day.
David was in a cave when so many people who were rejected by the society came to him. People who were distressed, indebted, discontented, etc, all came to him (1 Samuel 22:2). The same David, who went after a lion which took his sheep, compassionnately led this downtrodden to a change of position because the same people became the mighty men of David ( 2 Samuel 23:8).
Gideon had a godly desire to change the position of God’s people. People who have God shouldn’t be timid and afraid of the enemy. He encountered God and with compassion he led people who were once afraid and timid to become mighty. The story of Gideon always include his mighty three hundred men (Judges 6,7).
As a true leader, compassion must be shown in your dealings with people.
Bro. Worthmore Aghanenu