In the first episode of Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Grand Inquisitor enters a saloon searching for a Jedi and states to the owner, “You know who we are”.
He explains that compassion is a Jedi’s weakness because helping others exposes their hiding places.
As Anakin once told Padmé, “Compassion, which I would define as unconditional love, is central to a Jedi’s life.“
The Grand Inquisitor knows that Jedi cannot easily ignore someone suffering, even when helping puts them in danger. Their compassion makes them vulnerable because their actions reveal who they are. What the Inquisitor considers a weakness is actually a defining strength.
To prove his point, Reva suddenly throws a knife toward the saloon owner’s head. A hidden Jedi instinctively uses the Force to stop it. His compassion overrides his desire to remain hidden.
The Jedi saves a life, but his actions reveal his identity. His compassion ultimately leads to his capture and death. He pays a terrible price for helping someone in need.
The word compassion comes from Latin roots meaning “to suffer with.”
Genuine compassion moves beyond feeling sorry for someone to sharing their burdens and taking action.
Jesus declared in John 13:35 (ESV), “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
The Greek word for love is agápē, describing the self-giving love Christians are called to demonstrate.
Jesus demonstrated this love perfectly by willingly suffering and dying for our sins.
Read 1 Corinthians 13:4–8 below:
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.
Consider how love expresses itself through patience, kindness, humility, and perseverance.
Are Christians known for their compassion? More importantly, are you?
Who needs to experience Christ’s love through your actions today?
