COMPASSION
One day an eight-year old boy went to the pet store with his dad to buy a puppy.
The store manager showed them to a pen where five little puppies huddled
together. After a while the boy noticed one of the litter all by itself in an
adjacent pen. The boy asked, "Why is this puppy all alone?"
The manager explained, “That puppy was born with a bad leg and would be
crippled for life, so we’re going to have to put him to sleep.” “You're
going to kill this little puppy?” The boy said sadly while patting it. “You
have to realize that this puppy would never be able to run and play with a boy
like you.”
After a short conversation with his boy, the dad told the manager that they
wanted to buy the puppy with the bad leg. "For the same amount of money,
you could have one of the ‘healthy ones,’ why do you want this one?"
To answer the manager's question, the boy bent over and pulled up the pants on
his right leg, exposed the brace beneath and said, “Mister, I want this one
because I understand what he's going through.”
The story above was sent to me by a friend. It illustrates one reason why
Jesus surrendered the glories of heaven to become a human being. The
writer of Hebrews put it this way: “For we have not an high priest which
cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points
tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the
throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of
need” (Heb 4:15-16 K J V).
How comforting to know that Jesus understands us because He lived among us (John
1:14). He experienced life in the flesh so He knows, understands, what our
lives are like. It does not matter that He did not live in an age of
modern technology. The real needs of humanity remain the same from
generation to generation. What do we really need? To love and feel loved,
to have friends and be a friend, to be needed and appreciated while needing and
appreciating others. Jesus understands this. The Hebrew writer also
wrote, “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his
brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things
pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in
that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are
tempted (Hebrews 2:17,18). As we face the trials of life, Jesus
understands and offers aid (succor K J V). He can do this because He
walked where we walked, among people.
The Christian can thank God daily for a
Savior who understands our daily trials in the flesh and offers help to
overcome. Remember Jesus does not ask us to do what He did not.
—Denny