As continuation of the essay, it discusses the concept of compassion in Jesus Christ from two perspectives. The first perspective focuses on the way in which compassion shapes Jesus’ view of the world and his response to human suffering. Jesus sees compassion as a way to build a more peaceful and just world. The second perspective, according to Sobrino, emphasizes that Jesus’ compassion is not merely a sentimental approach but is integral to his character. Sobrino sees Jesus’ miracles and welcome of sinners as the two main expressions of his compassion. Jesus’ miracles manifest his solidarity with the poor and his welcome of sinners shows his soteriological compassion to liberate the underclass. In this way, Jesus’ compassion makes him more accessible to people and reveals a new face of God.
THE BEST HERITAGE
The compassion of Jesus Christ – a view from the Gospels
Compassion is God’s model, His way to see the world and act with all creation. This is clear through the parables of Jesus, such as, the parable of the lost son (Luke 15, 11–32) and the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20, 1–15). So, God’s compassion makes Jesus closer and sensitive to the sufferings of simple people; Jesus does not first address our sins, but rather, our sufferings. From such experience, Jesus introduces the principal of decisive action: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 36:6). This active and supportive compassion must lead us toward a peaceful and just world. Therefore, compassion must show us that the only response to those who suffer is to build a more human world. This is the legacy of Jesus to humankind.
The compassion of Jesus Christ – a view from Sobrino
Sobrino affirms that in the face of suffering, the compassion of Jesus is not just a sentimental approach, but it characterizes Jesus.
The compassion of Jesus goes beyond any ethical solidarity to people. It is an intimate reaction from a deep, human sensitivity for suffering people. In fact, the compassion of Jesus becomes a theological principal that shapes the action and life of Jesus, as well as the reality of the Kingdom of God. The two main expressions of this principal are His miracles and His welcome of sinners.
First, to Sobrino, the miracles of Jesus manifest the solidarity of Jesus with the suffering of the poor more than showing his ‘divine power’. As Jon Sobrino says in another book: “The victims held another power to salve the history and the humanity, and, in part, its potential is unique.”
Second, Jesus’ welcome of sinners shows His soteriological compassion to liberate the underclass from the false belief that God denied human beings access to the transcendental reality. Jesus welcomed the sinner with tenderness and compassion. This is a sign, not just of the forgiveness of the sinners, but a sign that the presence of the Kingdom of God is in the world.
In this sense, the life of Jesus is more accessible to people. People see a new face of God in the compassion of Jesus.
All in all, Jesus Christ does make a difference in the life of the poor, not because of their social situation, but through their personal relationship with Him. The gate of the Kingdom of God is open for all those who accept Jesus Christ as the Son of God, mediator, and adopt, as their style of life, his mercy toward others.
