He Heard My Cries

Introduction- The Enemy of Compassion is Busyness

Henry David Thoreau,

American naturalist, essayist, poet, and philosopher, and a leading transcendentalist, also known for his essay on "Civil Disobedience"

once said:

“It is not enough to be busy. So are the ants. The question is: what are we busy about?”

The Enemy of Compassion is Busyness

Serendipities- The ramblings of an accidental learner

August 16, 2023

https://serendipities.blog/2023/08/16/the-enemy-of-compassion-is-busyness/

Busyness kills your heart

Is it the case that we will always go out of our way to help others? Apparently not.

Whatever we think, however pure of heart we feel we might be, social psychologists have amassed a significant dossier of evidence suggesting that we are not always the “Good Samaritans” we would wish to be.

Specifically, when we find ourselves in a hurry, with something we need to get done, we become blinkered and, sadly, much less likely to help another. Being busy, or busyness in itself is an impediment to our compassion.

Transition To Body- A Not Too Busy Compassionate Savior

Matthew 20:17–19 ESV

17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”

Body- Jesus Hears The Cries Of…

Humble Supplicants Recognize Jesus’ Identity

Matthew 20:29–30 ESV

29 And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. 30 And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!”

Suppliant- a person making a humble plea to someone in power or authority.

A supplicant is a person who prays to God or respectfully asks an important person to help them or to give them something that they want very much.

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Humble Supplicants Recognize Jesus’ Identity

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Undeterred By Others’ Discouraging Behavior

Matthew 20:31 ESV

31 The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!”

Rebuked-

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 33.331 ἐπιτιμάω

to command, with the implication of a threat—‘to command.’

They Cried out

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 33.83 κράζω; ἀνακράζω; κραυγάζω

to shout or cry out, with the possible implication of the unpleasant nature of the sound—‘to shout, to scream.

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Humble Supplicants Recognize Jesus’ Identity

Undeterred By Others’ Discouraging Behavior

}

Compassion Is Jesus’ Ultimate Inspiration

Matthew 20:32–34 ESV

32 And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” 33 They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” 34 And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.

Matthew 9:35–38 ESV

35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Exodus 33:19 ESV

19 And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Christ’s Compassion Ought Motivate Our Compassion

Philippians 2:1–3 ESV

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

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Humble Supplicants Recognize Jesus’ Identity

Undeterred By Others’ Discouraging Behavior

Compassion Is Jesus’ Ultimate Inspiration

}

Recipients of Jesus’ Love Should Follow Him

Matthew 20:34 ESV

34 And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.

Pity

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 25.49 σπλαγχνίζομαι; σπλάγχνα, ων

to experience great affection and compassion for someone—‘to feel compassion for, to have great affection for, love, compassion.’

Followed

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 15.156 ἀκολουθέω

to follow or accompany someone who takes the lead in determining direction and route of movement—‘to accompany as a follower, to follow, to go along with.

Matthew 4:19–22 ESV

19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

{

Humble Supplicants Recognize Jesus’ Identity

Undeterred By Others’ Discouraging Behavior

Compassion Is Jesus’ Ultimate Inspiration

Recipients of Jesus’ Love Should Follow Him

}

Transition To Close- Are We Too Busy To Help Others?

Are We Too Busy To Help Others? (LinkedIn Pulse section)

Cameron K. Top 1% Community & Life Tactics Guy August 17, 2017

Yesterday, I left work after an extremely busy day of back to back meetings and working on client proposals at about 5:40 pm. Inphantry is located in Boston's Leather District, about a block away from South Station. And if you've ever been to Boston's South Station in the middle of rush hour, you know it's a complete zoo, with everyone rushing every which way to board their trains and get home to his or her families, but I digress.

On my way into South Station last night, ahead of me I could see a blind man who was struggling to make his way to his train. He was bumping into trash cans, whacking people with his stick, and was struggling to sift his way through the sea of individuals. He was about 100 feet in front of me and no one was taking the time to help him navigate, or even ask if he needed a hand. Many of whom, were simply 'sidestepping' him while continuing to stare at their phones, which deeply concerned me.

Something wasn't right. This man needs assistance.

As I got closer, I was appalled at just how many people were continuing to step out of his way, offering zero help, and instead just continuing to scroll through their probable news and Facebook feeds, checking their likes, comments, and more.

It was honestly shocking. Why was nobody helping this gentleman? He was clearly frazzled and continuing to struggle. And of the hundreds of individuals who were bypassing him, how the hell was no one taking a minute to check-in with him?

"If you see something, say something," I thought....what a sham.

My heart began to pound. My feet began to move quicker. I was getting angry. Boston is supposed to be a liberal city, yes, albeit a very fiscally conservative and traditional one, but this isn't the kind of thing that's supposed to occur in an 'innovative, forward-thinking' city like ours. People here should be more thoughtful, caring, and selfless when it comes to those in need.

But even Keolis and Amtrak officials were not moving to assist this gentleman. Was there something I was missing? Could they not see him? Was I the only one? My fists clenched tighter in anger. This man needed assistance, yet no one was paying attention.

I finally made it next to this man about three-quarters of the way through South Station and I asked, "Sir, do you need a hand?" He responded, "Yes, please, I'm trying to get to Track 13 and my train leaves in one minute!" "Ok, let's go. Grab my arm. What's your name?" I said. "Jesse." He responded.

It probably took me about a minute to walk (with Sadie in my other hand) this gentleman around a few corners to South Station's elusive Track 13, and really, took no effort on my behalf to do so. I was glad to do it. Yet, even as we walked, people were still heads down, on their phones, and taking no notice to move out of the way. Even as we made it closer to the train itself. Time was ticking for Jesse and he needed to make his train.

Only when we were about thirty steps from the train door, did a conductor step out to meet and assist Jesse into the train. I felt relieved. Beckoned Jesse a good afternoon and wished him luck as Sadie and I turned around to continue our two mile walk to the park, and then back home. We left South Station with no acknowledgment (none was needed, of course) like nothing had ever happened, but I continued thinking about the events that transpired back at the Station.

Why had no one offered to help this man? Where were the station officials to help this man get to where he needed to be? Aren't there systems in place to avoid these pitfalls for the handicapped?Are we all so heads down and buried in our work, or our Instagram feeds that we're forgetting to be humane to one another? Are we too busy to help others?

Whatever the questions I had were, I was flat out angry, possibly even more sad and disappointed with the hundreds of individuals who passed this handicapped man who clearly needed assistance. It bothered me deeply. It kept me up last night, and at a time where our nation needs to focus on healing and coming together, I thought this particular event needed to be brought to light. It takes less than a second to be a decent human being and even less than that to help others sometimes.

My point is this: No one should have been walking or sidestepping past this man. He should have been helped as soon as he walked into the train station. It takes zero effort to stop and help someone, or at least ask, and not one person did (that I saw).

It doesn't take much to help others out, even if we're in a rush to get home and see our families. The world doesn't need another app, more Instagram likes, it needs people who “truly care” who aim to serve others and make a positive, lasting imprint on the world.

Chivalry doesn't cost anything, and being a decent human being takes minimal effort on a daily basis.

Just think about it....if we all took a minute out of our days to help another human being out, wouldn't the world be a much greater place? ~ Cam King

[Verse 2: Whitney Houston & Georgia Mass Choir]

Oh, I love the Lord (I love the Lord)

I sure do, surely do love the Lord

He heard (He heard my cry)

And pitied every groan, yes, He did (And pitied)

Every, hey, every groan (Every groan)

Long as I live (Long as I), long as I, I live

And troubles rise, troubles rise (And troubles rise)

I'll hasten, I'll hasten to his throne

I'll hasten to his throne, hold on, hold on

Tears are streaming down my eyes

I'll hasten, I'll hasten to his throne

Psalm 34:1–6 ESV

1 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! 4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.

Psalm 34:15–19 ESV

15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. 16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

1 Peter 3:12 ESV

12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Luke 18:7–8 ESV

7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Go Hears & God Remembers

Exodus 2:23–25 ESV

23 During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. 24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25 God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.

Close- The Son of Man Came Not To Be Served But to Serve…

Matthew 20:31–32 ESV

31 The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 32 And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?”

Matthew 20:28 ESV

28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

John 3:16–17 ESV

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.