Kindness and compassion work together so that we can work for the good of God. Kindness comes from the fruit of the spirit. Compassion is the feeling that arises when you are confronted with another’s suffering and feels motivated to help. Kindness is the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. In The New Testaments you will discover various Bible verses related to kindness and compassion because Jesus taught kindness and compassion to all.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Galatians 5:22.
Jesus always attracted a large crowd to whom He taught various things from the Old Testament. With kindness and compassion, He wanted us to be better and to do better for our own eternal life with Him in heaven. There are many kindness stories in the Bible because God is love. Out of His great love flows kindness and compassion. Therefore, Jesus taught kindness and compassion for us to follow in His steps.
Jesus Taught Kindness and Compassion to Me
Prior to becoming a follower of Jesus Christ, I had to learn to be kind to have compassion for others. This required reading and studying the Bible to learn how God wanted me to be. I learned that I knew how to be kind, but I sometimes lacked the compassion to be kind. Therefore, I needed a renewal of my mind that could lead to the changing of my heart. Hence, I wanted to become a kinder, gentler me. I had to transfer Jesus’ teachings into my reality. Let’s unpack some of the more popular demonstrations of Jesus’ kindness and compassion for others.
Jesus Showed Kindness and Compassion to the Sick
Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy
There are various kind acts performed by Jesus for the sick. He healed so many out of his great compassion for mankind. Followers of Jesus Christ were healed as well as others that had faith to believe that Jesus was able.
After spending time on the mountain preaching to a large crowd of followers, a leper approached Jesus and asked to be healed. This man humbled himself and knelt before Jesus and said, “Lord if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus could have said I am tired from preaching all day but instead He demonstrated the love of God through compassion and kindness. Hence, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched the man. He then said, “I will; be clean.” The man with leprosy was cleaned. (Matthew 8:1-4).
The Faith of a Centurion
Sometimes all it takes is faith. We must have faith and believe that we can help someone. Just as they must have faith that we will do as we say and that we are able to do it. The kindness of Jesus is on display when we treat others as He did. The story of the Centurion tells of a faith in Jesus that many believers should have. He came to Jesus and asked Jesus to heal his servant.
Even though the Centurion did not feel he was worthy of having Jesus come into his house to heal his servant, the Centurion still asked Jesus to heal his servant. He had faith that one word from Jesus was all that was needed to heal. He had that much faith in Jesus. In tur, Jesus was marveled by this show of faith. Jesus then told the Centurion, “Go, let it be done for you as you have believed.” (Matthew 8:5-13).
God tells us we just need a little faith to move mountains. Nothing is impossible for our God. We just need to have faith. Click here to read more about Faith, Hope, and Trust.
And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. Luke 17:6
The Tax Collectors
During Jesus’s time, tax collectors were the most reviled individuals of their time. They were perceived as greedy. However, the worst infraction was their association with their Roman occupiers. The first tax collector introduced in the Bible was Matthew. Jesus called Matthew to be one of His twelve disciples. He called Him out of his circumstances with a great display of kindness and compassion. Jesus knew that Matthew as a tax collector was ostracized and villainized by the Jewish community.
As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. Matthew 9:9
Jesus took mercy on Matthew and in turn, Matthew went on to do great things in the name of Jesus. By Jesus showing kindness and compassion God was able to use Matthew in a powerful way. Let’s continue to learn about more kindness Bible stories.
Parable of the Good Samaritan
In the New Testament Jesus told many parables. The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) is a powerful story about kindness and compassion for one’s neighbor. Remember, anyone other than yourself is your neighbor. Hence, this parable is about a timeless love for one’s fellow man. To go out of your way to help someone that you don’t know is a true demonstration of God’s kindness and compassion. When I first read this parable, I had no understanding of the relationship between the Samaritans and the Jewish people. They literally hated each other over their beliefs about God and where He was to be worshipped. Nevertheless, when the Samaritan found this person stripped and beaten, he did not hesitate to help. He was not thinking of any reward. We all need to learn love like this. This is God’s love and the heart of the Bible.
For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? Matthew 5:46
Samaritan Woman
Likewise, Jesus showed kindness and compassion toward the Samaritan woman he met at the well who was a social outcast (John 4:1-42). Even though she avoided the women in her village due to her sinful lifestyle Jesus took time to speak with her. Jesus showed compassion and kindly explained salvation to her as she asked questions about living water and whom He was regarding Jacob. As Jesus continued to speak to her about her life, he began to explain how she should worship. Jesus eventually, tells the Samaritan Woman that He is the Messiah that is coming. This truth sent her to the town to share. This allowed Jesus to minister to the entire town for two days.
This is the perfect introduction to God’s kindness and compassion as it shows His love for all people, not just for a few. Hence, it demonstrates the power of kindness and is a great example of god’s plan for the world about inclusion into His kingdom.
And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John 12:32
Widow of Zarephath
There are many timeless tales in the Old Testament as well. The story of the Widow of Zarephath is a great way to illustrate the kindness of a person in great need (1 Kings 17:7-16). However, out of kindness and compassion, she helped another with the little that she had. These character traits found in those less fortunate are sometimes unimaginable. Hence, they are the greatest acts of kindness to be found. The Bible praises those that give out of poverty rather than abundance. This widow was commanded by God to feed the Prophet, Elijah.
Even though she had very little she obeyed God and fed Elijah first when he asked. As a result of her obedience, she had enough to feed herself and her son for many days for the flour and oil never ran out. Such things on the surface may appear impossible but many times I have experienced God’s love through the kindness and compassion I provided to others through good deeds.
“Truly I tell you,” He said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” Luke 21:3-4
Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz
The Book of Ruth is filled with many kind acts. In this Bible story, Ruth shows kindness and compassion by following her mother-in-law back to her home (Ruth 1:17-18). She found work to feed them both and ultimately a husband that could provide for them both (Ruth 2:2). Boaz was the future husband the rescued them both for in those days there were not many ways that a woman could secure their financial freedom. Boaz took compassion on Ruth and kindly provided her with a means to survive by telling his workers to leave grain for Ruth to gather (Ruth 2:15).
In merciful kindness, Naomi helped Ruth find a husband so that Ruth would be well cared for (Ruth 4:10). These three people worked together allowing their kindness virtues to weave and flow that was clearly led by the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Only God could have worked this out for their good and for His purpose. Hence, this union was part of the genealogy of King David and ultimately of Jesus.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Joseph Shows Kindness and Compassion To His Family
Sometimes a family member is the last person you want to show kindness or compassion to. Blood runs deep and pain and hurt can run even deeper. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers when they sold him into slavery (Genesis 37:28). He rose in the ranks and became a very powerful man in Egypt (Genesis 41:41). When his brothers came to him looking for food, he could have returned the favor and sold them into slavery or put them in jail. However, he chose kindness and compassion (Genesis 45: 4-7).
Even though he had gained so much he had also lost a lot, but he chose to help them. In fact, this one act of kindness helped to grow and shield the entire Jewish community. In the confines of an established nation, the Jewish nation was allowed to flourish and grow until God was ready to lead His people to the Promise land.
and forgive your people who have sinned against you, and all their transgressions that they have committed against you, and grant them compassion in the sight of those who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them 1 Kings 8:50
Heavenly Father’s Kindness and Compassion
Many of these stories are part of a lesson plan for many Sunday School teachers. However, I hope you were able to see how these stories are just stepping stones for Jesus’ ministry that teaches kindness and compassion towards your neighbor.
Jesus’ kind of kindness is more than an attribute of God. It is a way of life we should all strive for. Whether it is a friendly smile or a hello to brighten someone’s day or supporting someone through a sickness, job loss, financial need, or loss of a loved one. We are called to be compassionate, kind, loving, and forgiving followers of Jesus.
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
In God’s mercy and grace, He has found the compassion and kindness to forgive all of us. Let’s share this same kind of merciful kindness with our neighbors.
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