Colossians: Clothed With Compassion

Photo Credit: Hans Eiskonen

January 22, 2025

Praying Friends, 

When Paul writes to the believers in Colossae about the virtues of the new creation, he highlights the character of those who are a part of it. They possess qualities that are produced through the crucible of experience, through cooperation with the Holy Spirit, and through obedience to the truth of God.

They are spiritual qualities of maturity that God produces within us, and as we put these clothes on and intentionally seek God’s help they will develop with time.

He says, “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12 NIV).

Compassion, the first characteristic mentioned, is a quality that is of utmost importance in a believer representing the Lord Jesus.

It is a word that reaches deep into the inner being of a person drawing out mercy, pity, goodness, and gentleness. 

It is the word that comes to mind when you think of people like Mother Theresa, Harriet Tubman, and Fred Rogers. 

A lesser-known name is Albert Schweitzer. He was born on January 14, 1875, in Kaysersberg, Alsace (then part of Germany, now France). His father was a Lutheran pastor, and their Protestant household was deeply religious, which influenced his early interest in theology and music.

In his early thirties, Schweitzer felt called to serve humanity more directly. He famously said: "I decided I would make my life my argument.” A statement that reflected his deep conviction that true belief and moral values must be demonstrated through action rather than just words or theoretical discussions. He tried to embody his principles and philosophy through the choices he made and the way he lived, using his life itself as evidence of his ideals.

Despite his successful careers in theology and music, he decided to study medicine. In 1913, after earning his medical degree, he traveled to Lambaréné in present-day Gabon, Africa, to establish a hospital. Together, Schweitzer and his wife, Helene Bresslau (a trained nurse), built a hospital in a remote jungle region. They treated countless patients suffering from tropical diseases, injuries, and other ailments.

Albert Schweitzer exemplified the reality of compassion.

It is not surprising that the life of Jesus was characterized by this same quality. 

Mark records a beautiful story that illustrates this word perfectly.

“Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, ‘If You are willing, You can make me clean.’ Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed” (Mark 1:40-41 NKJV).

This poor leper in first-century Jewish culture was ostracized and isolated from active society and relegated to slow agonizing death. His disease rendered him unclean and therefore unfit to live with others. To touch him would be immediate contamination. People stayed as far away as possible. 

It says that Jesus was moved with compassion toward him. This emotion begotten deep within the heart of Jesus, which was produced from one completely filled with the Holy Spirit, propelled Him into action. Disregarding Jewish traditions, He did what no one else could do. He touched him and healed him. 

He could have called out and healed him from a distance, but this man needed more than cleansing from leprosy, he needed the closeness and care of a fellow human being. He got that from Jesus!

As we clothe ourselves each day to live as citizens of God’s kingdom, may we allow the Holy Spirit to develop within us this spiritual quality of compassion. There is someone who needs it today!

Thank you for praying for our prodigals and for revival.

Love in Christ,

Bryan and Rachel